Devereaux Announces Retirement as CEO and Move into Advisory Role

SAN BERNARDINO>> After nearly 40 years in public service, 25 of those years in the Inland Empire, Greg Devereaux announced he will retire from his role as San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer by the end of the current fiscal year. Devereaux joined County Government in February 2010 after successful tenures as city manager in Fontana and Ontario. “I wish to thank the Board of Supervisors, all of the County’s employees and the entire community for the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” Devereaux said. “It has been a great privilege.” The Board of Supervisors discussed the transition and Devereaux’s replacement as CEO in closed session. Under the terms of his contract, Devereaux will continue to work with the county for the next three years advising the board and his successor on programs and matters affecting the county. He will also retain and expand his involvement in various academic endeavors and provide consultation to various local and regional government agencies. “I will probably remain as busy as I am now. But I will have more flexibility than I do as CEO to devote needed attention to my family,” said Devereaux, who turned 65 this past summer. The board hired Devereaux as County Government faced significant organizational and fiscal challenges. He has worked with the board to redefine how San Bernardino County government operates, creating practices and processes that emphasize accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility. “I was hoping to work with Greg throughout my chairmanship,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Lovingood. “Greg’s knowledge and ability to work with the board to address the county’s challenges will be missed. He is well respected in the local government and business communities.” “Greg Devereaux is a man of integrity and intelligence who has served the people of this county admirably,” said Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford. “His fiscal discipline and eagerness to tear down unproductive bureaucratic silos have allowed the county to return to its core functions as well as lead regional conversations about education, the economy and much more. As a Board member, I will miss his daily presence and as a friend, I wish him and his family the very best.” Greg’s contacts in Sacramento and Washington and throughout Southern California and his knowledge of government have served the Board and the County well, said Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Curt Hagman. “Greg played a key role working with me and other local leaders to return Ontario International Airport to local control. As the newest member of the Board, I had been looking forward to working with Greg as CEO throughout my time on the Board. I am glad he will still be available to us in an advisory role,” Hagman said. “Greg has been a trusted and knowledgeable advisor through the years and he has worked effectively to help the Board of Supervisors achieve its goals,” said Third District Supervisor James Ramos. “During good times and times of difficulty, we have worked together as a team to move forward in San Bernardino County in service to our residents and future generations.” When Devereaux was hired, the county wanted to turn to a new, positive direction, according to Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales. "Greg understood what we meant by that and he worked very hard under sometimes difficult circumstances to help us achieve our vision of an ethical, responsive, compassionate, and effective County organization,” Gonzales said. “I am committed to ensuring we continue in this positive direction.” “Since my appointment to Sheriff in 2012, it has been a privilege to work with Greg Devereaux,” said Sheriff John McMahon. “Greg is a strong supporter of public safety and he worked with the Board of Supervisors to increase the Sheriff’s Department’s budget to meet the unique challenges we face daily. This has allowed us to grow as an organization, renovate existing facilities, acquire a much-needed crime lab and aviation facility. During the December 2 terrorist attack, Greg demonstrated outstanding leadership by ensuring the resources we needed were available to deal with the initial response and the aftermath of the tragic event. I appreciate all of Greg’s support and wish him best of luck in his future endeavors.” At the time he was hired, Devereaux became the ninth permanent or interim county chief executive in 12 years. His initial contract called for him to serve for five years, but the Board extended that time and next month he will pass seven years in the role, making him the longest serving county chief executive in more than 20 years. Gary Ovitt, a former mayor of Ontario and current member of the Chaffey College Governing Board, was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors when Mr. Devereaux was hired by the County. “After serving with Greg at the City of Ontario, I recognized without a doubt that he could accomplish for the County what he accomplished for the city was stability, a responsible budget, pay-down of pension debt, and provide for major capital purchases with designated funds,” former Chairman Ovitt said. “Greg succeeded with all of these, in addition to changing the culture of the staff and elected officials. Even more importantly, he always stands strong with great integrity.” One of his first endeavors as CEO was to work with the Board and San Bernardino Associated Governments to develop a vision for the entire county, seeking input from residents, employers, educators, community-based and faith‐based organizations, and elected leaders. The Countywide Vision Statement was adopted by the County Board and SANBAG on Jun. 30, 2011. Devereaux has continued to work with the Board, the community, and leaders in education and business to achieve the vision. Under the leadership of the Board and Devereaux, San Bernardino County became one of the most honored counties in the United States in terms of awards from the National Association of Counties and the California State Association of Counties. During the past seven years, the County has 200 NACo Achievement Awards for innovation, more than doubling the 74 the County won over the previous seven years. In 2015 alone the County claimed 46 NACo awards, more than any other of the nation’s 3,068 counties. Under the Board’s guidance and direction, Devereaux has engineered a number of successes for the County during his time as CEO: Such as,the county’s financial position has improved by more than $2 billion, Labor agreements have been restructured so that employees are paying their share of retirement costs while earning competitive wages and benefits. While also being able to increase the number of Sheriff’s Deputies on the streets,, funding for the County Fire District has increased and several areas have been or are underway to be annexed to the district, making it increasingly more efficient and effective, the County has made and is continuing to make major investments in public roads and infrastructure and many more. In addition to his duties as CEO, Devereaux is a Fellow with the National Academy of Public Administration and a member of the Advisory Board of the graduate programs in planning at the Sol Price School of Public Policy at USC. In 2014, Devereaux was a presenter at the Ethics and Governance Program at the University of California, Berkeley, Goldman School of Public Policy. He is a Past President of the California Redevelopment Association and has served on multiple California League of Cities committees. In 2009, Devereaux was appointed by the California Air Resources Board to the Regional Targets Advisory Committee on greenhouse gas reduction under SB 375. He is President of the advisory board for the Department of Public Administration, California State University, San Bernardino, and a member of the advisory board for the University of California, Riverside School of Public Policy. He is the visiting professional in residence at the West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, Division of Public Administration. In 2014, Devereaux received the Southern California Association of Governments President"s Award for Public Service Leader of the Year. In 2015, Devereaux became the 59th recipient of the Clarence A. Dykstra Award for Excellence in Government from the Southern California Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. “Greg is a treasure for the SCAG region,” said SCAG Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata. “The President’s Award signifies his unmatched leadership, and his many contributions to the Southern California region will forever be appreciated. I look forward to continuing to work with Greg in his future endeavors. I consider Greg a great leader and a good friend.” Devereaux was also the recipient of the American Society for Public Administration Inland Empire Chapter’s 2008 Outstanding Senior Administrator Award and the Building Industry Association Baldy View Chapter’s 2007 Good Government Award.