The new Thurston County manager appointee spoke publicly for the first time Monday, about a month after controversy shrouded his hiring.
Leonard Hernandez, the former chief executive officer of San Bernardino County, appeared virtually during a commissioner check-in meeting, ahead of his anticipated April 1 start date.
"I'm really looking forward to joining the team starting in a couple weeks and I appreciate the opportunity to sit in and to listen," Hernandez said. "I look forward to meeting all the wonderful staff. I've received a lot of warm welcomes and my family really appreciates that."
The board announced Hernandez's hiring last month after a months-long closed-door hiring process. Immediately following the announcement of Hernandez's selection, allegations of improper behavior and poor management at his previous workplace began circulating in the local community. Many of those allegations had been reported in The San Bernardino Sun newspaper.
In response, Thurston County Commissioner Tye Menser told The Olympian last month that the commissioners were aware of the allegations but still decided to hire Hernandez after being satisfied by their internal background check process.
"We're confident that we've made a very good decision," Menser previously said. "He was by far our top candidate and we're very pleased to have been able to hire him to lead Thurston County forward."
Menser said the county's Human Resources department led the background check process and the board did not hire an outside consultant.
The Olympian asked the other four county commissioners to comment on Hernandez's hiring last month, but none of them responded. It also requested Hernandez's comments on his hiring.
Menser reiterated the board's support for Hernandez during a Feb. 20 regular board meeting.
"The board wanted to reconfirm to the public that we conducted an extensive search, interview, background and reference check process with both internal and external partners and the board was satisfied with the results of that process," Menser said.
The county is now inviting the public to meet Hernandez at an open house at the Atrium Building at 3000 Pacific Ave. SE from 4:30 to 6 p.m. April 5. There will be no formal presentation or option to attend virtually, according to a news release.
"We look forward to welcoming Mr. Hernandez and introducing him to county staff and community members," Menser said in a new statement. "Mr. Hernandez will be an asset to the county and a strong leader. We are excited for our community to meet him."
On Monday, Menser welcomed Hernandez and invited the other board members to speak. Commissioners Emily Clouse and Carolina Mejia said it was "good to see" Hernandez. Clouse added the board was "excited" to have him.
The San Bernardino Sun reported Hernandez officially resigned in August 2023 due to an "urgent family health issue."
Over a dozen current and former county employees reportedly told The Sun that Hernandez had created a culture of bullying that drove experienced employees away.
In a Feb. 25 article, The Sun reported it obtained 11 county organization charts from June 2021 to June 2023. Those charts reportedly showed officials were often assigned to entirely different duties just months after a prior revamp.
Those changes may have contributed to San Bernardino County's flawed winter storm response last year. The Sun reported the county's response was marred by communication and coordination issues that delayed help for residents.
Additionally, The Sun reported San Bernardino County returned $4.4 million in federal funds last year that were intended to support their local homeless population.
Hernandez reportedly said the county's non-profit partners did not spend the funds fast enough. However, The Sun reported the county held the money for two years and internal turmoil stymied the county's working relationship with non-profits.
Hernandez will start at Thurston County with a $220,000 salary, a $20,000 hiring bonus and $5,000 moving stipend, according to a county news release.
He earned a base salary of $391,768 when he resigned from San Bernardino County, The Sun reported.
