LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Tuesday, the Lake County Board of Supervisors appointed a new director for Animal Care and Control.

Gregory Wilkins was hired for the position after final closed session interviews during the board’s regular meeting.

The county reported that Wilkins’ hire was the result of a nationwide recruiting effort.

His appointment is retroactive to Monday, Oct. 21.

Wilkins succeeds Jonathan Armas, who held the Animal Care and Control director job beginning in March 2019.

Armas’ tenure ended in the summer, without a public explanation from the county.

On June 11, the board voted unanimously to appoint County Administrative Officer Susan Parker as the interim Animal Care and Control director.

The board began holding interviews for the director’s job in closed session on Aug. 6, according to meeting records.

Animal Care and Control has had other issues over the past year, including staffing shortages that caused a cutback on services and mounting complaints over neglect and abuse cases involving horses.

Since 2012, Wilkins has served in a variety of animal care-focused capacities across six states, working his way from veterinary and kennel technician roles to high responsibility shelter and program management positions.

Wilkins most recently served as shelter manager for Animal Services in Dallas, Texas. He joined that agency in August 2023, leading the major metropolitan city government’s animal care and behavior efforts while supervising a 45-employee team, the county reported.

During the seven years before his time in Dallas, Wilkins held leadership positions including four years as shelter manager for Escambia County, Florida; manager and shelter operation manager of Hillsborough County, Florida, Pet Resources; and manager of lifesaving programs for Best Friends Animal Society in Northwest Arkansas.

“These progressively responsible assignments brought significant opportunity to build knowledge and experience supportive of Wilkins’ goal to lead an animal welfare organization,” the county of Lake reported in Wilkins’ hiring announcement.

“"This important appointment provides our Animal Care and Control department the foundation to move forward in serving our communities,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Bruno Sabatier. “Our Board is confident Gregory Wilkins has the skills and experience to effectively manage the full breadth of Animal Care and Control’s services, including our veterinary clinic. His strong passion for animal welfare is well demonstrated, and we look forward to his leadership in the department. We are very pleased Director Wilkins has chosen Lake County to continue his career; he is joining a developing team that mirrors his dedication to continual growth and providing the best possible services."

“The Board of Supervisors’ trust means a lot,” said Wilkins. “Lake County is a beautiful place, and it has already become clear to me residents care deeply about the well-being of their animals. I am really excited to get to know everyone, and help build on the strengths that are already here in Lake County’s communities. I am very happy to be here!”