• Donate
  • Subscribe
  • logo
  • logo
  • REGIONS
    • North County
    • Central County
    • South County
  • NEWS
    • Economy
    • Education
    • Emergencies & Disasters
    • Government
    • Health & Wellness
    • Housing & Homelessness
    • Outdoors
    • Podcasts
    • Politics & Elections
    • Safety, Security & Justice
    • Transportation
    • Water, Power & Waste
    • Youth Media
  • ARTS & CULTURE
    • Culture
    • Dance
    • Food
    • Music
    • Theater
    • Visual Arts
  • COLUMNISTS
    • Norberto Santana, Jr.
    • Anne Marie Panoringan
    • Paul Hodgins
    • Julie Leopo
  • INVOLVEMENT
    • Community Opinion
    • Press Releases
  • ABOUT
    • Mission & Values
    • Civic Engagement
    • Impact & Honors
    • Inside the Newsroom
    • Staff & Contact Us
    • Support & Partnerships
    • Archives
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
We have been your lifeline during the pandemic, economic fallout, wildfires, protests and the election. Support us today with a tax-deductible donation.
County Government

Frank Kim Takes Over As Acting County CEO

Nick Gerda/Voice of OC

Frank Kim, Orange County's chief financial officer.

By Norberto Santana Jr. Norberto Santana Jr. | January 22, 2015
9 Shares
Share9
Tweet
Reddit
Email

For the second time in recent years, Orange County’s top finance officer is taking over the reins of the county government.

On Wednesday, county Chief Financial Officer Frank Kim took over as acting CEO while Mike Giancola is out on medical leave for the next month recuperating from back surgery.

Chief Operating Officer Mark Denny is actually the official that under normal circumstances would be in line to fill in for Giancola, but he remains a focus of an investigation into $1 million in questionable contracts while he was director of OC Parks.

While Supervisor Shawn Nelson and (former supervisor) John Moorlach – supported Denny, Supervisors’ Chairman Todd Spitzer argued to Giancola that it would be inappropriate for someone potentially under sanction to lead the county.

Spitzer said publicly that if the legal review involving Denny wasn’t finished by Jan. 21, then Kim not Denny would take over when Giancola left on leave.

The last CFO to take over was Bob Franz, who in 2012 was tapped to lead the county government when former CEO Tom Mauk resigned amidst the fallout from the prosecution of OC Public Works executive Carlos Bustamante for a series of felony sex crimes.

County supervisors chose Giancola as a consensus candidate for CEO after negotiations – led by former Supervisors Pat Bates and Janet Nguyen – with Santa Barbara CEO Chandra Wallar broke down.

Kim, a respected budget manager who has been with the county since 1995, has solid support among county supervisors.

“Frank is a longtime employee, he’s extremely well respected and very good at what he does as CFO,” Spitzer said.

“He’s a good placeholder,” Spitzer said. “We can feel confident with him in charge.”

“Frank Kim enjoys the benefit of a great reputation as a straight shooter and someone who can be trusted,” said Nick Berardino, general manager of the Orange County Employees Association.

Supervisor Michelle Steel gave Kim high marks saying Kim “truly understands county government.”

Nelson also was supportive, saying Kim was “solid.”

Kim, who currently earns $190,000 annually, has worked in numerous agencies including the County Executive Office, the 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.

Since you've made it this far,

You are obviously connected to your community and value good journalism. As an independent and local nonprofit, our news is accessible to all, regardless of what they can afford. Our newsroom centers on Orange County’s civic and cultural life, not ad-driven clickbait. Our reporters hold powerful interests accountable to protect your quality of life. But it’s not free to produce. It depends on donors like you.
Become a Supporter

DISCUSSION:

Have an opinion on this story? Join the conversation... In lieu of comments, we encourage readers to engage with us across a variety of mediums. Join the open conversation on our Facebook page. Message us via our website form or staff page. Send us a secure news tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece.

ABOUT US: Mission | Editorial Policies | Contact Us | Funding | Privacy Policy

CORONAVIRUS: The latest Orange County news and information.

SUBTOPICS:
  • Government
  • Top Stories
  • County Government
  • Frank Kim
  • Mark Denny
  • medical leave
  • Mike Giancola
  • Nick Berardino
  • Shawn Nelson
  • Todd Spitzer

RELATED STORIES:

  • High-Ranking County Executive Prepares for Abrupt Departure

    Mark Denny, a former political aide who has served as Orange County’s chief operating officer since 2013, is leaving his county job on Thursday to take a position with the city of Dana Point, according to county officials.

  • Fullerton Police Chief to Retire

    Michael F. Sellers, who was harshly criticized after the beating
    death of transient Kelly Thomas by his officers, will officially
    step down this month.

Orange County's Nonprofit & Nonpartisan Newsroom

 

© Copyright 2021, Voice of OC

Voice of OC is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News

Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Back to top ↑