The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday announced the hiring of a new Santa Barbara County Executive Officer.
With her contract expected to be approved June 9, Jana Petersen will fill the key position guiding financial and long-range planning and overseeing the sprawling county government, which handles a wide range of essential services that include public health and welfare programs, elections, infrastructure and law enforcement and criminal justice.
The county has 22 departments and more than 4,700 employees.
“It is an honor to be chosen,” Petersen, who’s served as the administrator of Boulder County, Colo., since January 2020, said in a statement. “The county of Santa Barbara’s mission of ‘One County, One Future’ energizes my public service spirit. I am passionate about demonstrating the value of local government to the community, and I look forward to continuing to enhance the initiatives and priorities of the board.”
Petersen was expected to start on August 20. In June, supervisors will consider approval of a more than $1.6 billion fiscal year 2026-27 budget likely to include layoffs and program cuts.
Boulder County has 330,000 residents, while Santa Barbara has more than 440,000.
Petersen’s career in Boulder began in 1996 as a public information officer, according to county officials, who said that starting in 1999 she spent six years with the city of Boulder in executive roles, including assistant city manager. She returned to Boulder County as the commissioners’ deputy in 2005 and was later promoted to administrative services director before becoming administrator.
“During Petersen’s tenure as county administrator, Boulder County reshaped services to be more accessible and virtual in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to Santa Barbara County. “Under her leadership, the county team supported victims of the devastating Marshall Wildfire and wind event, earning praise from state and federal officials for the speed and effectiveness of recovery efforts. County staff also completed several critical infrastructure projects.”
On Wednesday, Petersen resigned her current position effective Aug. 11, according to Boulder County.
Petersen holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver.
“The Board is very pleased with the selection of Ms. Petersen as our new CEO,” said Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson, board chairman. “She is a seasoned leader who has ably led her organization through many of the same challenges and opportunities that we have faced in recent years and will continue to face in the future. She is an excellent fit for our county and I’m confident that she will maintain and contribute to our county government’s reputation for innovation, service excellence and fiscal accountability.”
Outgoing CEO Mona Miyasato will retire this summer after nearly 13 years in the position.
Nelson praised Miyasoto’s contributions.
“Mona Miyasato has led Santa Barbara County through some of the most challenging and defining moments in our County’s history with exceptional integrity, vision and resolve,” he said. “From natural disasters and the pandemic to long-term fiscal recovery and organizational modernization, her leadership has strengthened every corner of county government. Mona’s steady guidance, commitment to transparency and deep dedication to public service have left a lasting impact on this organization and the residents we serve.”
