Courtesy photo.
VENTURA — Dave Ward has been selected as the new Planning Director for the County of Ventura Resource Management Agency. The appointment was made following a search which included strong internal and external candidates. Ward fills the position vacated by Kim Prillhart when she was promoted to Resource Management Agency Director.
Ward has worked as a public agency planner in the Central Coast region for more than 23 years, completing land use policy programs and processing development permits. He has experience in sensitive habitat protection, open space planning, wildland-urban interface planning, agribusiness and rangeland management, high-end and affordable housing projects, and urban design.
“Dave has both city and county experience,” said Prillhart. “He worked as the Deputy Director of Planning for the County of Santa Barbara, Planning Manager for the City of Ventura and Community Development Director for the City of Agoura Hills. The experience he gained in these positions gives him tremendous insight into the challenges and opportunities we face here in Ventura County as we look to implement a new General Plan that will take us to 2040.”
In his new role, Ward will oversee the Planning Division. It provides land use services to the public in the areas of residential, commercial and industrial permitting, long-range community planning and zoning enforcement, and coordinates a variety of regional programs in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County.
“I am excited to be joining the County as we update our General Plan and look to the future of Ventura County,” said Ward. “This is an exciting time for the Planning Division as we work to chart the future course of the county.”
Ward, 51, has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Geography, and a master’s degree in public administration. He belongs to several professional planning organizations. Ward has been a Ventura County resident for 18 years. He began in his new position on July 8 at a salary of $191,972.