The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a five-year contract Tuesday for former Chief Financial Officer Frank Kim to become the county’s chief executive — a job he’d been doing on an interim basis since his predecessor took medical leave.
He replaces Michael Giancola, who retired after two years as CEO following back surgery.
Kim will earn $248,057.68 annually, up from his yearly salary of $192,379.20 as CFO. Giancola’s annual salary was $248,060.80.
Orange County Supervisor Shawn Nelson and board Chairman Todd Spitzer noted Kim will be the first non-white CEO, a position created in 1967. Kim, who is of Korean heritage, is the county’s 11th CEO.
“I think this continues this county’s commitment to diversity,” Spitzer said.
“I think we do diversity right in Orange County,” where “we let people rise to the top” without regard to their ethnicity, Spitzer said. “I really hope we’re a color-blind county and that your ethnicity is irrelevant.”
Kim has drawn praise from many for his financial stewardship as budget director, a job he held for five years before he was promoted to CFO two years ago. Kim especially was praised for helping the county get through the Great Recession without substantial layoffs or service cuts.
“You led us through some very difficult times in 2008-09,” Supervisor Andrew Do said at today’s board meeting. “The Great Recession put us in a really difficult position. You were the anchor who really led us through that difficult time. I appreciate you not shying away from facing the press and explaining our positions … which you did with grace and dignity, which I know you will continue to do as CEO.”
Nelson said Kim is “one of the most honest and ethical people I know.”
Nelson added that it was appropriate that a number cruncher like Kim was in charge as the county is winding down service on its debt related to its 1994 bankruptcy.
“We are the county that filed bankruptcy, but how fitting that the man who is steering the ship was the former CFO,” Nelson said.
Spitzer credited Kim for providing “a roadmap to get out of bankruptcy.”
Kim started work in the county in 1995 and has held down jobs in various departments, including OC Waste & Recycling and Probation.
Kim said his new job is an “awesome responsible … I don’t take this responsibility lightly.”
He acknowledged the hardships of the Great Recession.
“None of the challenges we’ve faced have been easy since 2008,” Kim said. “It hasn’t always been easy, but the employees have kept their eyes on the ball and because of that we’ve achieved much … I’ve always been proud to be a county employee, but never more proud than today.”
Giancola was praised for his three-decades plus career working with the county from groundskeeper to the top post.
Nelson noted that Giancola took over during a troubled time when a search for a new CEO was botched and his predecessor Tom Mauk was forced to resign following a sex scandal involving former top county executive Carlos Bustamante.
“You didn’t need to do this. We were really in a bind,” Nelson said. “We went through a recruitment and it didn’t go very well … I know you and your wife were ready to move on and you didn’t need to do this for anyone, but you stepped in and bailed us out.”
Giancola’s elevation through the ranks pleased Nelson.
“I love your story — (starting with) emptying trash cans in parks,” Nelson said. “No matter who you are and where you started, you can end up CEO. It’s a great story and it’s a great testimony to you.”
Giancola told the supervisors they were now in good hands.
“He’s certainly smarter than me,” Giancola said of Kim.
— City News Service