Coastal Commission continues search for top executive

STATEWIDE — A public agency tasked with protecting California’s coastline enters its ninth month without a leader at the helm as the California Coastal Commission continues to search for a successor to Charles Lester. The agency’s executive director position has been vacant since Lester was relieved of his duties by a razor thin commission vote on Feb. 10. John Ainsworth has since been serving the commission as the acting executive director. A draft job posting released by the Coastal Commission on Aug. 26 states the agency is looking for “a dynamic leader confident in their ability to spearhead positive organizational and cultural change.” A survey seeking public input of what characteristics the next executive director should possess is currently available online at coastal.ca.gov/events/ed-search/. In May the commission released a request for proposals to hire an executive search firm; the commission hired CPS HR in August to begin the process of finding a new executive director. Recruitment materials have not yet been finalized. “Right now we have posted a draft of the draft recruitment materials and are currently accepting public comment on the [executive director] search criteria,” Noaki Schwartz, the commission’s public information officer, told The Log. “The language in the draft brochure may be updated and...