Fresno County hires new administrative officer

Jean Rousseau, Tulare County’s administrative officer, has been named Fresno County’s new administrative officer.

Rousseau has worked for Tulare County as CAO since 2007.

He previously worked in Tulare County as assistant county administrative officer and as chief deputy county administrative officer of finance between 2004 and 2006.

Rousseau is a certified public accountant with more than 25 years experience.

Before working in Tulare County, Rousseau was employed for 15 years by the Fresno County’s Auditor‐Controller/Treasurer‐Tax Collector’s office. He also had served as a staff accountant in private practice at Sampson & Sampson CPAs in Clovis.

Rousseau was born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley and has been married for more than 32 years to his high school sweetheart, Andria. They have three children: Jordan, Alexandra and Madison. Rousseau graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from California State University, Fresno in 1986 and is an alumnus of San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno.

Fresno County Board of Supervisors’ Chairwoman Debbie Poochigian cited Rousseau’s previous CAO experience and his work as a certified public accountant as reasons for his hiring.

“Because he’s a CPA, he’s good with numbers and that’s just what we need in Fresno County,” Poochigian said.

She added: “He brings a wealth of public management and accounting experience to the job, and we look forward to working closely with him in the coming years.”

Supervisor Buddy Mendes said Rousseau’s experience as a county administrative officer and previous work in Fresno was important in his selection.

“I think he’s going to be a good fit,” Mendes said. “He knows Fresno, he comes from Fresno. He has been a CAO for a little while and it’s pretty tough if you have never done that.”

Rousseau replaces John Navarrette. Navarrette worked for Fresno County for 31 years, serving the last seven as the County Administrative Officer. He is retiring effective Oct. 23.

“John has been an outstanding leader for our county in tough times,” Poochigian said Thursday.

Rousseau was selected among three finalists.

Eric Fleming, Madera County administrative officer, also was a finalist for the top Fresno County post.

Last week, Fleming was awarded a $30,000 raise by the Madera County Board of Supervisors to stay there.

Fresno County officials say that he dropped out of the selection process after it became apparent he would get the raise.

The other finalist was Jeannie Figueroa, deputy Fresno County administrative officer.

Rousseau will be appointed formally Tuesday by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors.

He will begin working in Fresno on Oct. 26.

This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 4:18 PM with the headline "Fresno County hires new administrative officer."