County hires personnel director

Glenn County hired a new personnel director Tuesday to the relief of County Counsel Huston Carlyle.

Jamie Leigh Cannon will start her new job Monday.

"She has several years with Butte College, and they are pleased with her," Supervisor Leigh McDaniel said. "She was looking for something new and exciting and another challenge. We are happy to offer it to her."

Chairman John Viegas added Cannon has vast experience in human resources both for the college and other counties.

"She will be a great asset to our county," he said. "She is very sharp."

Her annual salary will be $84,593.60, Carlyle said, with a 16-day severance buyout.

She will serve at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors, he said.

Cannon comes to Glenn County from Butte College, where she had worked in human resources. She was one of four applicants to be interviewed by a board committee on Feb. 19.

From there, the board asked Carlyle, who has been doing double duty since 2010, to negotiate an agreement, and Cannon accepted, he said.

Carlyle said this was the second time within the past year the board advertised for a new personnel director.

There were 19 applicants in this last round who were good candidates, he said.

"This is the day I've been waiting for," Carlyle said. "At least in the last six months."

Carlyle took over personnel on an interim basis in December 2010 following the retirement of longtime Personnel Director John Greco.

The move saved the county money during hard fiscal times, but the workload proved difficult this past year in doing both jobs, officials said.

Carlyle also has had to hire outside counsel to represent the county on some personnel issues due to conflicts.

The board expressed satisfaction at Cannon's appointment.