BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — More than five months after the unexpected departure of Kern County Chief Administrative Officer James Zervis, the county on Tuesday selected his replacement.

The board of supervisors voted unanimously to approve former Santa Barbara County Chief Assistant Executive Officer Nancy Anderson as Kern’s new CAO.

Anderson is no stranger to Kern County. She is born and raised in Bakersfield and graduated from Cal State University Bakersfield. She worked as the county’s chief operations officer from 2019 to 2020, along with other roles within the county.

She said her goal now as CAO is to take what she learned in Santa Barbara and bring it to Kern County.

“I see things we can do things we can enhance and do better around legislative affairs around involvement and stakeholder engagement in some areas, I think that would benefit and enhance what we’re already doing,” said Anderson.

Anderson said with the sudden resignation of former Supervisor Zack Scrivner and issues plaguing the county, such as homelessness, she plans on being a leading force as CAO.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

17 News Alerts

“Many of the challenges that the county is seeing is not uncommon among many counties throughout the state,” Anderson said.

“You really have to work through what are your priorities, what is the funding availability. My top priority is assuring we have fiscal stability and are we making decisions that are going to be sustainable.”

Anderson begins her role as Chief Administrative Officer on Sept. 9.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.