SLO County names temporary top administrative officer. ‘I am honored to serve’
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors has named an interim county administrative officer to fill in following Wade Horton’s resignation last month.
The board picked retired Kern County Administrative Officer John Nilon to serve in the role for at least three months while it searches for a permanent replacement.
The administrative officer oversees the county budget and staff.
“Nilon will provide the Board of Supervisors with day-to-day leadership as well as a fresh assessment the county’s organizational effectiveness,” the county’s human resources department said in a news release. “Nilon will engage the board, department heads and staff to evaluate successes, challenges, recommendations and suggested future action plans.”
Nilon’s first day on the job will be May 1.
“The transition between leadership can be traumatic for any organization,” Nilon said in the news release. “To lessen the trauma, an independent, experienced interim can have great value. I am honored to serve the San Luis Obispo County community.”
Nilon, a current Cambria resident, worked for Kern County for 32 years — including eight years as county administrative officer, along with leadership roles at the Kern Medical Center, the Public Health Services Department, Child Support Services and Employers’ Training Resources, the agency said.
After retiring, Nilon went on to serve on various boards and commissions, including the Cambria Community Healthcare District.
“The Board of Supervisors has confidence that John Nilon’s leadership skills and interpersonal style will provide an excellent bridge in this time of transition,” Supervisor John Peschong said in the news release.
Why does SLO County need a new top administrative officer?
Former County Administrative Officer Wade Horton announced his resignation before a performance review at a board meeting on March 21.
Horton has not publicly announced why he resigned or where he will work next. He served in this position for more than five years, and his last day will be May 1.
He will leave the county with a $146,000 severance package. The county and Horton also signed a non-disparagement agreement, promising not to “disparage, defame, discredit, malign, ridicule or slander” each other.
Horton has declined The Tribune’s interview requests.
This story was originally published April 25, 2023 at 2:11 PM.
