Katie Albertson, Merced County's spokeswoman and director of governmental affairs, announced Friday that she would leave her post to move to Texas where her husband is based for the U.S. Air Force.
Albertson has worked as the county's lead spokeswoman since January 2009. She has worked for the county since 2006, initially as the deputy spokeswoman.
Martha Hermosillo, who had served as a program administrator for child welfare services, will cover Albertson's spokeswoman duties beginning Monday. As policy, no county employees besides elected officials are allowed to provide information to reporters without a spokesman's approval.
Albertson said she did not know whether the governmental affairs position would be filled or even retained in her wake. The director-level position is also charged with helping the county win state and federal funding and with advancing the county's legislative agenda in Sacramento and Washington.
Mark Hendrickson, director of commerce, aviation and economic development, will oversee the county's lobbying efforts for now. Hendrickson had served as the governmental affairs director before moving to the economic development position.
Albertson will move to Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, with her husband, Trevor.
"We have enjoyed living in this community and certainly love it," Albertson said. "We are certainly sad to leave, because we have grown to love Merced so much."
Albertson said she would miss the county government's "greatest asset," her fellow employees. "Every day I came in, I was amazed at their work ethic, sacrifice, and just how hard they worked on behalf of the citizens of Merced County," Albertson said.
-- Danielle E. Gaines
E-Mail
Print
