Sonoma County Government: Sonoma County Selects New Director Of Health Services

Press release from the Sonoma County Government:

October 22, 2021

For Immediate Release CA

Neal comes to Sonoma County from Round Rock, Texas, where he has served as the executive director of the Williamson County and Cities Health District since 2019. Before that, Neal spent three years as director of the Victoria County Public Health Department in Victoria, Texas.

Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, said Neal’s experience leading large public health departments made him well-suited to take over the county’s top health post. He was selected following a nationwide search.

“Derrick’s leadership experience stood out in a talented candidate pool,” Hopkins said. “He is well-positioned to take on the tough public health challenges we face, including our pandemic response, mental health crisis and environmental health demands.”

Neal is the past president of the Texas Association of City and County Health Officials. He is a Ph.D. candidate in public administration and has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Illinois, Springfield. Neal said he is extremely grateful to have been selected as the next Health Services Director of Sonoma County.

Neal said that throughout the hiring process he was impressed with the commitment within the county government at all levels “to directly address the multiple challenges that have impacted this entire community over the past several years, but, more importantly, our most marginalized residents,” he said. “As an organization we will be focused on equity, inclusion and empowerment, and we will strive to ensure that everyone not only has a seat at the table but a voice as well. It will take all of us to get to a better place, and I'm excited to be a voice among a highly talented group of employees, residents and collaborative organizations.”

His starting salary will be $228,876. The Board of Supervisors will consider approval of the contract on Nov. 2 with a start date of Dec. 1.

“I would like to thank the Board of Supervisors for having the faith in my leadership to continue to move this organization forward while we continue to heal through this pandemic experience,” Neal said.

Media Contact: Matt BrownMatt.Brown@sonoma-county.org (707) 565-3040 575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A Santa Rosa, CA 95403

This press release was produced by the Sonoma County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.