OC Politics Blog | Tag Archives: Mike Giancola

How investigating harassment charges at the County of Orange ended a career

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Editor Posted in Carlos Bustamante, Kathleen Tahilramani, Mike Giancola, OC Board of Supervisors, Orange County 1 Comment

Former county HR manager Kathleen Tahilramani. (Photo by: Nick Gerda/Voice of OC)

How Investigating Harassment Charges Ended a Career

By NORBERTO SANTANA JR., VOICE OF OC

Second of three parts. Read part one here.

Among the many issues facing Orange County government brought to the fore in the wake of the Carlos Bustamante sex scandal were the unintended consequences of the county’s decentralized human resources system.

Many say the reason why Bustamante’s alleged criminal behavior was allowed to go on so long was because the HR professionals in charge of investigating him worked for him. Continue reading→

Another former high-ranking OC exec alleges corrupt culture

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Editor Posted in Corruption, Mike Giancola, OC Board of Supervisors, Orange County Leave a comment

Former county HR manager Kathleen Tahilramani. (Photo by: Nick Gerda/Voice of OC)

Former High-Ranking County Exec Alleges Corrupt Culture

By NORBERTO SANTANA JR., Voice of OC

First of three parts

After more than three decades as an employee inside Orange County government, Kathleen Tahilramani is preparing to go to trial against the county next month, alleging that top officials retaliated against her in her capacity as a Human Resources official because she refused to skirt state selection rules for jobs at the county trash department and insisted that harassment complaints be investigated. Continue reading→

New Orange County COO was previously convicted for election fraud

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Editor Posted in Bill Campbell, Corruption, Curt Pringle, Dana Rohrabacher, Mark R. Denny, Mike Giancola, Orange County, Scott Baugh 1 Comment

Mark Giancola, Bill Campbell and Mark Denny

When the new Orange County Executive Officer Michael B. Giancola announced this week that he had selected Mark R. Denny, currently Director of OC Parks, to become the County’s first Chief Operating Officer (COO) I knew right away that Giancola was going to be another corrupt and worthless O.C. hack. If any of you expected Giancola to be anything else, this pick ought to put those thoughts to rest.

Denny was once a former staff aide to Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle – but that ended when he pleaded guilty in March of 1996, “to participating in a Republican scheme to manipulate the ballot in last year’s 67th Assembly District election, becoming the third GOP worker in less than a week to be convicted in the election fraud case,” as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Continue reading→

Former public affairs consultant named Orange County COO

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Editor Posted in Mark R. Denny, Mike Giancola, Orange County 1 Comment

(L-R) Mark Denny, Nick Lecong, Bert Ashland and Janet Nguyen.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 28, 2013
Contact: Howard Sutter, 714.834.6203 office, Howard.Sutter@ocgov.com

County Parks Director Named Chief Operating Officer

(Santa Ana, CA) — County Executive Officer Michael B. Giancola has selected Mark R. Denny, currently Director of OC Parks, to become the County’s first Chief Operating Officer effective July 5, 2013.“Mark’s ten years of experience with the County of Orange will be invaluable in his role as Chief Operating Officer,” said Giancola. “The Chief Operating Officer will provide direct supervision over all appointed County agencies and departments, ensuring consistency indirection and aiding in the development of coordinated strategies to implement County goals.” Continue reading→

County CFO Replaced

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Editor Posted in Mike Giancola, Orange County Leave a comment

500px-Flag_of_Orange_County,_California.svg__0

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2013
Contact: Howard Sutter
714.834.6203 office
Howard.Sutter@ocgov.com

New Chief Financial Officer Appointed

(Santa Ana, CA) — County Executive Officer Michael B. Giancola has announced the selection of Frank Kim to serve as the County’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Kim, who has been the County’s Budget Director for more than five years, will succeed Bob Franz as CFO. “Frank brings to the position a wealth of experience and knowledge,” said Giancola. “I am confident in his ability to guide the County successfully through the dynamic financial times we face.”

Since joining the County in 1995, Kim has served in a number of capacities with agencies including the County Executive Office, Auditor-Controller Department, OC Waste & Recycling and the Probation Department. He received both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. Before starting his career with the County, Kim worked as an internal auditor for American Restaurant Group and as a tax accountant for Arthur Anderson & Co. Franz has been the County’s CFO since January 2007.

“Bob has graciously agreed to stay on for a month to assist in the transfer of this important position and to provide continuity of leadership through the budget hearings,” Giancola stated. “His tenure and expertise are appreciated and will be a great help during this time of transition. The salary for the Chief Financial Officer will be $190,000 annually.

Updated: Let’s have a more critical look at Mike Giancola before the big promotion to County CEO

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Editor Posted in Janet Nguyen, Mike Giancola, OC Board of Supervisors, Orange County, Pat Bates, Todd Spitzer Leave a comment

Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, joins Deputy Chief of Staff Matthew Harper and OC Waste & Recycling Director Mike Giancola at the County’s First Green Vendor Fair

Supervisor Janet Nguyen with former staffer Matthew Harper and OC Waste & Recycling Director Mike Giancola

There’s no real surprise that a resume from an internal candidate has made it to the top of the Tom Mauk-replacement stack per this Register story yesterday from Tony Saavedra: Supervisors name CEO candidate (outside Paywall here).

Why, after the failed negotiations to hire CEO Chandra Wallar away from Santa Barbara County, would any sane professional seeking a bigger job here have left their resume in the pile considering that Wallar subsequently lost her six-figure job? This ineptitude on the BOS’ part failed her, failed us and shrunk the candidate pool to the extent that only a minor OC Department head is now the apparent and only finalist. Considering how long Mauk and his #2 have been gone and that the burn rate‘s about normal, there also seems no reason for any haste in filling this position. Continue reading→