Jeffrey A. Van Wagenen Jr. was unanimously selected to be the new Riverside County Executive Officer (CEO) in a special closed session meeting last week.

Van Wagenen replaces George Johnson, who retired in December. Juan C. Perez served as the interim CEO.

The board of supervisors was to approve the employment contract and compensation package at its Feb. 9 meeting. The newspaper went to press before the conclusion of the meeting and will report on the item next week.

“The hard work of the county is done in our departments every day by our dedicated staff,” said Van Wagenen. “I am honored to serve the board of supervisors on behalf of the 2.5 million people who choose to call Riverside County home.”

If approved, Van Wagenen will receive an annual salary of $325,000 plus fringe benefits and “shall automatically receive an annual salary increase of 4% upon satisfactory performance as county executive officer on the anniversary date of the effective date of this agreement,” according to the employment contract.

The annual salary range for the position is $262,821.10 to $413,826.40.

According to the county’s press release addressing his background, “Van Wagenen has worked for 14 years in public service with the county of Riverside, including the last three years as assistant CEO for seven public safety departments. Prior to his latest tenure with the county, he owned and operated a criminal law office for 10 years. Van Wagenen earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and his juris doctorate from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in San Francisco.”

Riverside County has more than 22,000 employees in more than 40 departments that are overseen by the CEO.

“After doing a competitive, nationwide recruitment, I am pleased that one of our Riverside County residents will be our next CEO,” said Board Chair Karen Spiegel, Second District Supervisor. “Jeff has been a driving force within the county and built a strong reputation for collaborative solutions to tough problems.”