NAPA VALLEY, CA — The agency responsible for managing the development of unincorporated Napa County appointed an interim executive officer on Monday following the sudden dismissal of the former director, who spent more than a decade in the role.
In a closed session meeting Monday, the Local Agency Formation Commission of Napa County officially dismissed Brendon Freeman and appointed David Key interim executive officer until the appointment of a full-time executive officer.
According to LAFCO, Key is the CEO of the paperwork company, described on LinkedIn as an all-lowercase artificial intelligence company that advertises its ability to automate local government systems. The company has previously worked with LAFCOs in the region, including Napa LAFCO, according to LinkedIn.
After 18 years with the agency, Freeman was placed on paid administrative leave following a performance evaluation by LAFCO commissioners at an Aug. 27 closed session meeting.
The decision came just two weeks before a hearing on a controversial annexation measure to add 87 acres of unincorporated, occupied area called Watson Lane/Paoli Loop into the county's fastest growing city -- American Canyon, where developers have built thousands of units of housing in recent years.
A Sept. 11 LAFCO hearing about the annexation was abruptly tabled as multiple residents who live in the Watson Lane/Paoli Loop area showed up to protest the annexation. Some expressed dismay that Freeman, who would have presided over the hearing, was no longer in his role.
"I'm shocked that he's not here," said Sam Clerici Sr. outside the LAFCO office in Napa on Sept. 11. "He was really helpful and transparent," he said.
Clerici and a dozen others live on the unincorporated rural road called Watson Lane, which American Canyon seeks to acquire as part of a plan to build an alternate route into the city separate from the notoriously congested state Route 29.
But Clerici and his neighbors have sought more time to consider the annexation, which could compromise their rural lives -- many keep livestock or operate large agriculture equipment on their properties.
Some worried that whoever replaced Freeman will push forward the annexation effort without considering resident voices. The hearing regarding the Watson Lane/Paoli Loop annexation was rescheduled for Nov. 10.
"LAFCO recognizes the community concerns during this transition," wrote LAFCO Chair and Napa City Councilmember Beth Painter in a statement Monday. "The commission determined that a change in leadership was needed, and our immediate priority is ensuring continuity in LAFCO's operations and service to the community."
By Griffin Jones, Bay City News
Copyright © 2026 Bay City News, Inc.
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