LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Carol Huchingson, Valley fire long-term recovery coordinator and Social Services director, assumed the duties of the Lake County administrative officer on Monday.

She was appointed to the position on Feb. 2 by the Board of Supervisors to succeed Matt Perry, whose retirement became effective on Friday.

Huchingson is the first woman to hold the job, a fact confirmed for Lake County News by Kelly Cox, who served for more than three decades in the post and was succeeded in 2012 by Perry.

The county administrative officer is considered the most senior county employee, and is charged with preparing the county budget for board approval and supervising the day-to-day business of the county, subject to policies set by the Board of Supervisors.

Huchingson brings years of government experience to the position and leaves behind a distinguished 22-year career as the Lake County Social Services director.

She also was the second-longest standing Social Services director in the state of California.

Most recently, Huchingson filled the role of the recovery coordinator after the devastating Valley fire that destroyed more than 1,300 homes in the Anderson Springs, Cobb, Hidden Valley and Middletown communities.

A Valley Fire survivor herself, Huchingson took on the role of recovery coordinator after acting as the director of the emergency operation center in Lake County.

She has been working closely with fire survivors, as well as local, state and federal officials to navigate through the complicated rules and regulations of federal and state funding sources to ensure the economic solvency and recovery of Lake County.

“It has been an exciting, but difficult challenge to lead Lake County towards recovery and rebuilding after this catastrophic event,” Huchingson said.

The Valley fire is considered the third worst fire in the history of the state of California. “There are so many Lake County residents and businesses that have experienced overwhelming losses,” Huchingson added.

"Carol has been the rock. She stepped up in one of the county's most challenging times and led the response and recovery efforts during the Valley fire disaster. Now, she's helping to lead the efforts to rebuild local communities,” said state Sen. Mike McGuire.

Under her tenure as the Lake County Social Services director the department evolved from a small, struggling unit to the longstanding success it is known to be today.

Huchingson is a founding and ongoing member of many boards, including the Lake/Mendocino Area Agency on Aging and the Napa/Lake Workforce Investment Board. She also created a unique on-the-job training program through the Lake County Department of Social Services, which has secured many permanent, full-time positions in County service for local CalWORKS recipients.

Huchingson graduated from the Humboldt State University in 1990 with a master’s degree in human services administration, and has a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Rob Brown, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, has worked closely with Huchingson throughout the Valley fire recovery. “Carol’s commitment to the betterment of Lake County and its residents is evident in all she does.”

McGuire added, “Carol is a great choice and I'm excited to continue our partnership in the years to come.”