[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 153 (Monday, December 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING WALT EKARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRIAN P. BILBRAY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 3, 2012

  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the retirement of 
Walter F. Ekard, the Chief Administrative Officer for the County of San 
Diego. As the chief executive for the fifth largest county in the 
United States, Mr. Ekard manages a workforce of over 16,000 employees 
and an annual budget of $5 billion.
  Mr. Ekard was appointed to this position by the five-member Board of 
Supervisors on May 4, 1999. He previously served as the Assistant Chief 
Administrative Officer and was the Boards' ``first and only choice'' 
for the job because of his experience and strong leadership skills.
  Since he began working for the County in 1996, Mr. Ekard has been a 
part of its dramatic transformation, including a creation of a 
structurally-balance budget and the implementation of a general 
management system. Working closely with the Board and the County's 
executive team, Mr. Ekard works to institute private business 
management practices throughout the County, stressing customer service, 
fiscal accountability and teamwork. He has overseen the successful 
implementation of the innovative information technology outsourcing 
project that begun in late 1998 and is currently working to prepare San 
Diego County government to manage with significantly less revenue due 
to the State of California's budget crisis and funding cuts anticipated 
as a result.
  Mr. Ekard brings a unique combination of qualifications and 
experience to this post. In fact, he served as my Chief of Staff during 
my time at the Board of Supervisors. He also worked as a senior policy 
advisor to former County Supervisor Paul Fordem (1981-1984). He also 
managed the Rancho Santa Fe Association from 1987 to 1996, transforming 
this 70-year-old organization into a smooth-running, productive and 
powerful regional influence. During his tenure with the Association, he 
worked in a capacity much like a city manager, developing linkages 
between the Association and other community organizations, created a 
long-term strategic plan to secure needed support from local and 
regional government agencies, and reduced administrative staff while 
streamlining the budget process and privatizing certain Association 
functions.
  A native of San Diego County, Mr. Ekard received his Bachelor of Arts 
degree from San Diego State University and a Allis Doctor degree from 
the University of San Diego, School of Law. He is a member of the State 
Bar of California and has served on a number of community boards and 
commissions. He and his wife, Pam, reside in El Cajon with their 
family.
  I.hope my colleagues will join me in recognizing the professional 
achievements of Mr. Walt Ekard. Without question, the community of San 
Diego has been made better by his contributions and are worthy of 
recognition by the House of Representatives today.

                          ____________________