Campbell, Santa Paula’s Human Resources Director, taking top court job
December 25, 2009
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Kathy Campbell, the City of Santa Paula Human Resources Director for about three and a half years, is resigning in coming weeks to take the top administrative job with the Federal Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles.
Campbell, a resident of Santa Paula, said, “It is with sadness that I leave a position I love in the City of Santa Paula, but the opportunity to advance my career in my chosen field of study is too great to pass up.”
Campbell’s new position is Executive Officer/Clerk of the Court, Central District of California, encompassing bankruptcy courts in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties, with divisions located in Santa Barbara, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, Riverside and Santa Ana. California’s Central District Court is the largest bankruptcy court in the United States.
The salary range for her position, which reports directly to the Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, is $167,258 - $174,000.
In her new position Campbell will be the official custodian of the records and documents of the court, and accountable for all fees, costs, and other funds collected by the court. She will also be the Certifying Officer for the court, and responsible for the efficient use of the court’s human, fiscal and physical resources.
The clerk’s responsibilities also include managing the administrative and operational activities of the clerk’s office to ensure its statutory duties are properly discharged. Campbell will also oversee computer and information systems management, human resources management, financial management and budgeting, statistical analysis and reporting, policy origination and implementation, long range planning and public relations.
In her new position Campbell will be working closely with the District Court and other federal courts, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, various bar associations, governmental agencies and the public. Campbell will start with the court February 1, and, she noted, “I will work diligently with the City Council and management team to ensure a smooth transition. I have greatly enjoyed working with all the dedicated employees in the city as we continue to strive to effectively serve the citizens.”
Campbell, said Interim City Manager Cliff Finley, “has been a valuable member of the management team... we’re going to miss her, but we’re happy she’s doing something she really wants to do. We wish her the best,” although, Finley noted, “she’ll be very hard to replace. I would say she’s irreplaceable.”
Highly respected by the city employees and union representatives, when Campbell started with the city labor negotiations had often been contentious. But even in hard contract times Campbell was lauded by those she dealt with for her high ethics, sense of fairness and honesty. “Kathy has a high level of integrity, she’s professional, she’s compassionate, very organized, good humored... everything you want and,” said Finley, “just a great human resources leader.”
Campbell was a veteran employee of court system reporting to the Executive Officer/Clerk of the Court - the position she is now taking over - when she left to join the city. She said when notified of the top court position opening in September, “It was hard to pass up... and I decided to go for it.”
Hired by former City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz, Campbell applied for the court position before Jaime Fontes, the new city manager, was selected. It is expected that Fontes, who starts February 15, will consider it a top priority to launch a search for a new human services director.
“I want to extend my thanks to everyone for their support” and, Campbell said, “I’ll be sure to take a little bit of our Santa Paula small town charm down to Los Angeles with me.”
