CA CE'S 2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
MISSION:P OSSIBLE
STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP
for Califor nia's Counties
FLAMINGO RESO RT, SANT A ROSA | SONOMA COUNT Y O CT OBER 22-24, 2025
CONFERENCE
STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP for California’s Counties MISSION POSSIBLE :
CACE 2025 Annual Meeting Agenda | October 22-24, 2025 | Sonoma County - Flamingo Resort & Spa
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025
11:30 a.m. Networking and Lunch with Colleagues – Sponsored by Baldwin Group
12:15 p.m. Opening Remarks and Welcome
CACE President Jason Britt, CAO, Tulare County Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chair Lynda Hopkins Assemblymember Chris Rogers
12:45 p.m. Sponsor Introduction of Keynote Speaker – Sponsored by KPMG
12:50 p.m.
Keynote Presentation
Economic Outlook, Growth and Uncertainties – What Clues Should County Leaders Look For?
Dr. Robert Eyler, Professor, Economics Department, Sonoma State University
1:45 p.m. Break – Sponsored by Loop Capital
2:00 p.m.
Attendee Experience
CACE Grape Stomp: Connecting with Colleagues David Garrison, West Yost
3: 00 p.m. Roundtables
CEO/CAO: President Jason Britt, Facilitator Assistant/Deputy CEO/CAO: Mike Pettit, Ventura County and Meegan Jessee, Butte County, Facilitators
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
5:30 p.m. Hosted Reception – Sponsored by DLR Group
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
8:30 a.m. Networking Breakfast – Sponsored by KNN Public Finance
9:00 a.m. Opening Comments – President Jason Britt
9:10 a.m. Sponsor Introduction of Keynote Speaker – Sponsored by Energy Systems Group
9:15 a.m. Keynote Presentation
See Change Clearly: Building Personal and Professional Resilience for County Executives Jacob Green, Green & Associates
10:15 a.m. RCRC Update – Pat Blacklock, President and Chief Executive Officer
10:30 a.m. Break – Sponsored by Schneider Electric
10:45 a.m.
General Session
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed House Resolution (H.R.) 1 into law. The broad bill includes many provisions that impact California’s counties. A moderated panel will discuss H.R. 1 impacts and implications for California, including potential risks to counties and the delivery of health and human services.
Panelists:
Kari Brownstein, CPA, MHA, Executive Director, County Medical Services Program
Michelle Gibbons, Executive Director, County Health Executives Association of California
Carlos Marquez, III, Executive Director, County Welfare Directors Association
Katie Rodriguez, Vice President of Policy and Government Relations, California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems
Moderator: Kelly Brooks-Lindsey, Hurst Brooks Espinosa
12:15 p.m. Lunch – Sponsored by PARS
1:30 p.m.
General Session
A strong, productive relationship between the CEO/CAO and the Board of Supervisors is essential for effective governance and long-term community impact. This session will explore how to build and maintain alignment through clear, collaborative goal setting and a meaningful performance evaluation process.
Panelists:
Jacob Green, Green & Associates
Luther Snoke, CEO, San Bernardino County
2:00 p.m.
General Session
The era of “plug-and-play” interim hires is over. Today’s leadership vacancies call for more than just a placeholder—they demand strategic insight and tailored solutions. This interactive session reframes interim hiring as an act of strategy, not just necessity. Learn how to diagnose what the organization truly needs in the moment—technical expertise, stabilizing internal growth opportunities and cross-department placements to consultant partnerships and shared leadership approaches.
Panelists: Jennifer Solito, Assistant County Administrator, County of Sonoma
Cathy Capriola, Vice President of Strategy, MRG LLC
2:30 p.m. Break – Sponsored by Enterprise
3:00 p.m. Virtual General Session with NACo and CSAC
Strengthening the County Voice in the Federal & State Governments – Issue Update
Matt Chase, NACo CEO/Executive Director
Graham Knaus, CSAC Chief Executive Officer
3:45 p.m. CSAC Institute Update – Chastity Benson, CSAC Chief Operating Officer
4:00 p.m. CACE Policy Update by Hurst Brooks Espinosa
Jean Kinney Hurst, Kelly Brooks-Lindsey, Elizabeth Espinosa, and Josh Gauger
4:30 p.m. General Session
Whines and Woes is a facilitated session for attendees to help identify issues and topics for Friday’s CACE Forum.
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
5:30 p.m. Transportation to Dinner
6:00 p.m. Reception and Dinner – Bennett Valley Iron & Vine
Wine Sponsored by: SITELOGIQ
Dinner Sponsored by: CSAC Finance Corporation
Dinner Sponsored by: Dominion Voting
STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP for California’s Counties MISSION POSSIBLE :
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025
8:30 a.m. Breakfast – Sponsored by OpenGov
9:00 a.m. CACE Forum
Back by popular demand, the CACE Forum is an opportunity to discuss issues, challenges/opportunities, and solutions among all attendees. Topics identified in Thursday’s Whines and Woes session will be prioritized. Jeff Van Wagenen, CEO, Riverside County, Facilitator
10:15 a.m. CACE Business Meeting
10:45 a.m. Closing Remarks and Send Off – President Jason Britt
