County Executive Officer Mike Powers announced Thursday that he had selected Pettit after a nationwide search that drew almost 200 applicants. Pettit is scheduled to start the job March 26 at a salary of $245,909.
Pettit, 49, succeeds Assistant CEO Matt Carroll, who plans to retire at the end of March. The Ojai man also will assume Carroll's duties as chief of staff.
Carroll and Pettit pursued similar career paths. Both worked in the private sector and directed the county's information technology services before being named assistant CEO.
The tech post is not a prerequisite for rising to the assistant CEO's position. But the job provides exposure to all county agencies, plus federal and state offices and school districts, Pettit said.
"I think that gives you a good perspective," he said.
Pettit joined the county 25 years ago as a project manager and business analyst. He previously worked for private companies including Hewlett Packard. He holds a bachelor's degree in industrial technology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
He rose through the ranks in the county's information technology department, becoming director in 2011.
Pettit and his wife, Lachelle Pettit, have four daughters, ages 8 to 20.
Carroll has agreed to continue working as director of recovery efforts for the Thomas Fire following retirement. As a temporary employee, he will work 24 hours a week at his current pay of $118 an hour, but will not accrue benefits, officials said.
The part-time job will not raise Carroll's pension, Human Resources Director Shawn Atin said.
©2018 Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.