The Mendocino County Chief Executive Officer is pleased to announce the hiring of Kelly Overton as the County’s Cannabis Program Manager. Mr. Overton has previously worked as a process improvement and disaster management consultant with numerous nonprofits and municipalities. Mr. Overton holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, a Master of Public Health from Tulane University’s School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine, a Bachelor of Arts from University of Massachusetts/Boston and a Graduate Certificate in Conservation Biology from Columbia University’s Earth Institute Center for Environmental Sustainability.

In July 2017, the Board of Supervisors directed the Chief Executive Officer to create the Cannabis Management Unit and Cannabis Manager Position to enhance the County’s program. The Cannabis Program Manager will coordinate with departments to better implement the county’s policies, streamline process to effectively implement the Cannabis Program, develop a sustainable framework to institutionalize the program into County government and establish a County infrastructure that evolves with changes in the developing cannabis market. All components of the County’s cannabis program will report to the Cannabis Manager.

Commenting on his new position, Mr. Overton stated “I’m excited to join the County team and look forward to working with staff and stakeholders to make Mendocino’s Cannabis Program thrive. Mendocino County should and will become a blue print for how legal cannabis can be a positive force both economically and socially. My immediate goals are streamlining the permit application process and working to further establish cannabis as an economic driver in the county.”

Carmel Angelo, Chief Executive Officer, stated “I’m excited to welcome Kelly to our team. His experience and diverse background in transforming and improving systems will benefit the Cannabis Program. His enthusiasm and collaborative attitude will bring energy and stability to our program. Kelly will be an integral part of the success of this program and we are looking forward to his leadership and vision around cannabis in Mendocino County.”

For more information, please contact the Mendocino County Executive Office at (707) 463-4441.