MOHAVE COUNTY – Juliana Demers will succeed Ken Cunningham as Human Resources Director for Mohave County. Cunningham exited for another job last Nov., and the staff recommendation to hire Demers was approved during the Jan. 6 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
County Manager Sam Elters said more than two dozen people applied for the post and that a five- member county panel vetted the group down to the top seven. One round of interviews reduced the field to three finalists before Demers rose to the top through a second round of interviews.
“She was my top choice and she was also the panel’s top choice,” Elters said. “She does possess the credentials, the possesses the experience and she has the leadership and the vision to lead the Human Resources Department for Mohave County.”
Demers said she has nearly two decades of administrative experience in county and municipal government, mostly in California. Her resume notes various roles in the cities of Burbank, Oakland and San Jose, and another 21 months in Parker in Arizona.
Demers said she has confidence in Mohave County and its HR Department.
“I believe in the vision we will bring forward to build this human capital, which is essential,” Demers said. “Our employees are really the essential components for the development of this county, and I’m looking forward to this journey.”
Board Chairman Travis Lingenfelter expressed hope that Demers and colleagues will be able to lower high employee turnover in Mohave County.
“You’re fully qualified for this position and I hope you do very well at it,” supervisor Don Martin said. “Welcome to our team. This is a team. The whole county is a team.”
Demers starts her new job with the county on Jan. 27 at an annual salary just under $118,000.
Dave Hawkins