The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on January 10 to elevate Robert Lovingood to the position of board chairman, replacing James Ramos, who has served the last two years in that capacity. The board further voted to appoint Curt Hagman to replace Lovingood as vice chairman.
It is anticipated that Lovingood and Hagman will remain in those positions for the next two years.
“I want to thank my colleagues on the board of supervisors for their support in electing me as chairman,” Lovingood said. “We have a strong board of supervisors and I look forward to building on that cooperation with the board, the chief executive officer and county staff.”
Lovingood said he looks forward to partnering with Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford on land use services issues to reduce unnecessary hurdles and spur construction. He also plans to focus on best practices, reducing liability and lost-time work-place injuries.
“When we are following best practices, we protect the health and safety of our County workforce, reduce costs and save taxpayer money,” Lovingood said.
Lovingood said that vice chairman Hagman, who also serves on the Ontario International Airport Authority Commission, will focus on bringing international business opportunities to San Bernardino County.
Supervisors Josie Gonzales and James Ramos will partner together to continue addressing homeless and mental health services in the county.
Chairman Lovingood began his second four-year term on the board in December and vice chairman Hagman is midway through his first term on the board. Chairman Lovingood represents the First District, which takes in most of the High Desert, including the cities of Apple Valley, Hesperia, Victorville, Adelanto, and Needles. Vice Chairman Hagman represents the Fourth District, which includes Chino Hills, Chino, Ontario, Montclair, and a portion of Upland.
“I commend the board for selecting Supervisor Lovingood to serve as chairman,” Hagman said. “Like me, Robert has made job creation a chief priority for strengthening San Bernardino County’s economy. Supervisor Lovingood’s leadership and our shared vision for success and greater opportunities will greatly benefit the Fourth District as we move forward in attracting investment, enhancing public safety, and improving our overall quality of life. I am excited about working with chairman Lovingood to make our plans a reality.”
“I am truly honored to have been unanimously selected by my colleagues to serve as vice chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. We have accomplished much during my tenure but there is still much more to be done to ensure San Bernardino County reaches its full potential for all its residents,” Hagman continued. “In recent years, San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire region have made great strides in attracting jobs, reducing unemployment, and creating more affordable housing. Together, this board will partner with all community leaders as we  continue to make San Bernardino County a shining example for all Southern California.”
The board also thanked outgoing Chairman Ramos for his service at the Board’s helm.
“For two years, I have had the honor to serve the County of San Bernardino as the chairman of the board of supervisors,” Ramos said. “The county is in a better position than it has been in the past. I feel proud to have chaired a board that has led with integrity. I wish the very best for our next chairman, supervisor Robert Lovingood. I look forward to working with him and the rest of the board to build upon the progress we have made together.”
The voter-approved county charter requires the board to elect a chairman at its first meeting in January following an election of supervisors. According to the charter, the chairman serves as the board’s general executive agent by presiding over meetings of the board, signing contracts approved by the board, and working with the chief executive officer to set the board’s agenda.
Covering more than 20,000 square miles and serving more than 2 million residents, the County of San Bernardino is the largest county in the United States in terms of area and the fifth largest in California in terms of population. The county’s 39 departments provide a wide range of vital public services to residents, visitors, and businesses in the areas of public safety, health care, land planning, recreation and culture, elections, airports, economic development, and aid to children, the elderly, veterans, and the poor.
County Government worked closely with San Bernardino Council of Governments (formerly San Bernardino Associated Governments, or SANBAG,), the county’s 24 cities and towns, residents, and community leaders to create a Countywide Vision, www.sbcounty.gov/vision. Elected leaders and other stakeholders are now focused on achieving the vision by setting and working toward regional goals.