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Three high profile County departments will have new leaders, and the hiring process is underway for several other leadership positions as the County’s continuing transformation begins the new year, bringing new opportunities to improve efficiency, maximize resources and boost innovation in service of our diverse community.
Nadia Privara Brahms had been appointed as the Behavioral Health Services Director, effective Jan. 9, after serving as the Acting Director for the past several months. She and her team are committed to providing compassionate care to vulnerable residents with serious mental health and substance use conditions and guiding the department into the future. Privara Brahms started her career with the County in 2005 and joined Behavioral Health Services in 2014, where she led the development of the Optimal Care Pathways models to identify future capacity needs for treatment services locally. She also led the implementation of behavioral health payment reform under Medi-Cal Transformation, guided the development of the new ELEVATE Behavioral Health Workforce Fund to recruit and retain workforce within County-funded behavioral health programs, and pursued more than $430 million in grant funding, with over $175 million of grant funds awarded to BHS over the last four years.
Eric Shiotsugu has been appointed as the Chief Information Officer of the County Technology Office after serving in an acting role since August. His appointment is effective immediately. Shiotsugu has worked for the County for over 20 years and has experience spanning both government and private sector roles. Before joining the County Technology Office, he led large technology projects in the Auditor & Controller Department, experience that will be invaluable with upcoming projects including next steps in the IT outsourcing contract. As Acting Chief Information Officer, Shiotsugu led the creation of the County’s AI best practices.
Shawn Brom has been selected as the new Registrar of Voters following a broad national search. Brom currently serves as Assistant Registrar and brings more than 25 years of experience with the San Diego County Registrar of Voters. He has extensive expertise in managing complex systems and ensuring compliance with state and federal elections. He began his County career in 2000 as a precinct planning technician. He later served as elections processing supervisor, election manager and Chief of Departmental Operations before assuming the role of Assistant Registrar. Brom will assume the role on Jan. 9. Registrar of Voters Cynthia Paes plans to retire in February after 23 years of service with the County of San Diego. The office ensures the County administers fair, transparent and accurate elections with the highest level of integrity.
The hiring process is underway for additional key leadership roles in Human Resources, Health and Human Services Agency and County Counsel, with positions expected to be filled in early 2026.
A new Human Resources Director is being hired after current Director Susan Brazeau announced she will retire in March. She has been with the County for over 23 years. Human Resources provides and retains a skilled, adaptable, and diverse workforce to bring the County’s mission and culture to life and make a meaningful difference for our communities. The County appreciates Brazeau and Paes for serving the community for more than 20 years each, and we wish them the best in their next chapter.
In the Health and Human Services Agency, the County will be filling the role of Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO), a position that leads a group of departments and programs providing a broad range of health and social services to make people’s lives healthier, safer and self-sufficient. In the office of County Counsel, the Board of Supervisors is conducting the hiring process to select the department head who leads the County’s civil law needs. The new County Counsel will have the opportunity to fill key vacancies once on board.
Many of the new hires will overlap with the incumbents to provide for a smooth transition.
The County is grateful for the leadership and dedication of these individuals in supporting the changes that will help the County realize its vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all while preparing for the challenges and opportunities ahead. These transitions bring new opportunities to position the region for the future in collaboration with our partners and the community. The County provides a broad range of programs and services to keep people and their families safe and healthy. As a government agency, it is responsible for the day-to-day things a city government would typically do for residents in the unincorporated area, including law enforcement, roads, building permits, animal shelters, parks and libraries. It also provides many services that support the entire region, things like emergency preparedness, elections, health programs and social service assistance.
