Joseph M. Nicchitta was officially hired Tuesday as Los Angeles County’s chief executive officer, taking over a position he has filled on an interim basis since October.
The county Board of Supervisors approved his appointment Tuesday, with Nicchitta receiving an annual salary of $565,000.
He takes over the position previously held by Fesia Davenport, who went on medical leave last year then resigned in April. Before she went on medical leave, the county paid Davenport a $2 million settlement stemming from her allegations that she suffered damage to her professional reputation through voters’ passage of Measure G, which made multiple changes to the county’s government structure, including making the CEO an elected position, rather than an appointment.
That change is expected to take effect in 2028.
According to a letter to the Board of Supervisors from the county Personnel Department, Nicchitta “will be responsible for managing Los Angeles County’s $52.5 billion fiscal year 2025-26 budget and 115,000 budgeted positions.”
Nicchitta previously served as chief deputy CEO beginning in January 2021 and as head of the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs.