County executive announces leadership hires

The chief executive of Santa Cruz County on Wednesday announced the hiring of two new assistant county administrative officers.
County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios issued a news release detailing the addition of Nicole Coburn and Elissa Benson to his executive team.
Coburn was already employed by the county as a principal administrative analyst overseeing departmental budgets and operations. The release credited her with implementing numerous library services and criminal justice programs and initiatives, and most recently with overseeing the county’s first-ever strategic planning process.
Coburn was previously a management consultant and communications expert in the private sector.
Benson comes from King County, Washington as a deputy director overseeing the Facilities Management Division. She worked for that county since 1997 and had previously worked in the Washington State House of Representatives as a fiscal analyst.
Benson possesses a Master of Public Policy degree from the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
Palacios wrote that both women possess unique skills and perspectives that will benefit Santa Cruz County residents.
“These individuals have demonstrated first-rate skills and abilities, and will be key team members as we move forward in implementing a new vision and organizational structure for the County,” he wrote.