Full Breakdown
San Diego County Leadership Changes Set to Shape Future
12/30/2025, 9:04:35 PM
New Appointments in Key Departments
In a significant restructuring, San Diego County has announced new leadership for several major departments, effective January 9, 2026. Shawn Brom will take over as the Registrar of Voters, succeeding Cynthia Paes, who is retiring after 23 years. Brom, who has over 25 years of experience within the county elections office, has held various roles, including assistant registrar and elections processing supervisor. His appointment comes as the county prepares for upcoming elections, emphasizing his expertise in managing complex election systems.
Nadia Privara Brahms has been appointed as the new director of Behavioral Health Services, also effective January 9. Brahms, who has worked for the county since 2005 and has served as the acting director since April, has been instrumental in developing models to identify future mental health treatment needs and has secured over $430 million in grant funding for the department. Her leadership is expected to enhance the county's behavioral health initiatives, including the ELEVATE job training program aimed at improving local staffing.
Eric Shiotsugu will assume the role of Chief Information Officer, having served in an acting capacity since August. With two decades of experience in the county, Shiotsugu has led significant technology projects and developed the county's AI best practices, positioning the technology office for future innovations.
Ongoing Recruitment for Leadership Roles
In addition to these appointments, San Diego County is actively seeking candidates for several other key positions. The county is in the process of hiring a new human resources director to replace Susan Brazeau, who will retire in March after over 23 years of service. There is also a vacancy for the deputy chief administrative officer in the Health and Human Services Agency, a role that oversees various departments providing essential health and social services. Furthermore, the Board of Supervisors is looking to fill the position of County Counsel, which is crucial for managing the county's civil law needs.
Official Statements on Leadership Changes
The county's leadership changes have been framed as a strategic move to enhance efficiency and community service. A statement from the county highlighted the importance of these transitions, noting, “These transitions bring new opportunities to position the region for the future in collaboration with our partners and the community.” This sentiment reflects the county's commitment to fostering a resilient and adaptable workforce as it navigates upcoming challenges.
Criticism & Opposition
While the leadership changes have been largely welcomed, some community members express concerns about the continuity of services during the transition period. Critics argue that frequent leadership changes could disrupt ongoing projects and initiatives, particularly in the Behavioral Health Services department, which has faced scrutiny over its effectiveness in addressing mental health needs.
What's Next
As San Diego County prepares for these leadership transitions, the focus will be on ensuring a smooth handover and maintaining service delivery across departments. The new leaders will be tasked with implementing innovative strategies to enhance community services while addressing the challenges that lie ahead as the county approaches 2026.
