County Executive names Nolan Sullivan as new director of Sonoma County’s Department of Health Services

Nolan Sullivan, a seasoned public health administrator with nearly 20 years of experience managing county health and human services programs, has been selected by County Executive Maria Christina Rivera to be director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services following a nationwide recruitment search.

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the three-year professional services agreement at its March 18 meeting. Follow the Board’s calendar, agendas, and materials here.

Since 2007, Sullivan has worked for the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency, a county department that combines social services, public health, homeless services and behavioral health. Most recently, he has served as director of the department, which has more than 750 employees and oversees a $277 million annual budget.

County Executive Rivera said that Sullivan was selected over 80 qualified candidates because of his experience delivering health and human services in a county similar in size and demographics to Sonoma County. Like Sonoma County, Yolo County has an agricultural-based economy, small towns, urban areas and tight-knit communities.

“Over the course of a career dedicated to public health, Nolan has demonstrated the leadership qualities and creativity to solve difficult problems,” Rivera said. “He is not only committed to the clients he serves, but he also demonstrates deep compassion for the employees doing the work. We are lucky to have him lead the Department of Health Services.”

Before directing the Yolo County Health and Human Services Agency, Sullivan served as a division director, overseeing all of Yolo County’s eligibility and employment programs including Welfare to Works, CalWORKS, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, foster care, and the county Indigent Health Insurance Plan. He also served as social services manager, leading teams in Yolo County’s social services offices of Woodland, Winters and West Sacramento.

“I’m honored to be offered this very important position working with Sonoma County’s dedicated team of public and behavioral health professionals,” Sullivan said. “I look forward to helping the department continue providing vital services, working with community stakeholders and, most importantly, supporting the physical and behavioral health of all residents in the County of Sonoma. I am very excited to get started.”

Sullivan has a master’s degree in Public Administration/ Health Services from the University of San Francisco and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University Chico. He is a California State Association of Counties Credentialed California Senior Executive recipient. Outside of Yolo, he is also a past elected member of the Vacaville City Council and Vacaville Unified School Board. He is a regular volunteer with several children and education focused nonprofits including the Vacaville Public Education Foundation and the United Way of Woodland. Sullivan is in the process of relocating to Sonoma County.

Sonoma County’s Department of Health Services has roughly 725 employees and an annual budget of about $500 million. The department includes the divisions of Public Health, Homelessness Services and Behavioral Health.

Sullivan’s salary as director of Health Services will be set at $313,092 annually. He is scheduled to start his new position on April 1. 

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Contact Information:
Matt Brown, Communications Specialist
paublicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
(707) 565-3040

Nolan Sullivan