Jefferson Billingsley appointed as County Counsel

As 2020 comes to a close, the county wants the community to know of some important changes in leadership to several departments that have occurred over the last several months.

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors appointed Jefferson Billingsley to County Counsel, Linda Le to Director of Human Resources, Bennett Hoffman as Child Support Services Director and Chris Cooper to the position of Director of Library Services.

Cooper brings more than 20 years of library leadership as a library director, assistant library director and supervising librarian with an emphasis on community engagement and collaboration. He has served as Assistant Director of Library Services and Supervising Librarian for the County of Humboldt and Library Director of the Nampa Public Library in Idaho. A graduate of San Jose State University where he earned his master’s degree, Cooper has broad experience in building organizational culture and strategic planning. He is committed to working closely with staff to support library development projects to enhance library spaces and collections and promoting libraries as community focal points.

As Director of Library Services, Cooper will be responsible for developing library policy, programs and budget. He will work closely with the Humboldt Library Foundation, Friends of the Library groups, other County departments, community-based organizations and other stakeholders to expand the reach of the library. Cooper was appointed as director on Oct. 30.

“I am enthusiastic and honored to serve the Humboldt County Library community during these unprecedented times,” said Cooper. “I feel a great emotional connection to the people and place. Our library staff, Foundation, and Friends groups are passionate about their work, and committed to serving our community with increasingly diverse and vibrant programs, services, and events. Our Staff has demonstrated great creativity, innovation, and flexibility as the library expands its services to the public during the pandemic.”

As director of North Coast Regional Child Support Services, Hoffmann will be responsible for administering the local child support program for both Humboldt and Trinity county. North Coast Regional child support serves approximately 5,000 families, helping establish court orders for child support and health insurance and collecting and distributing over $11 million in child support over the last year.  

The department looks forward to continuing its ongoing efforts of making it easier for those in need to services to engage with the child support program under Hoffman’s leadership. Improving the customer experience and increasing the available options for negotiating and agreeing to child support orders has been one of the departments main goals the last few years.  

Hoffman is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Platteville and brings 23 years of experience in the child support program. Before relocating to California, Hoffman was the Assistant Director of Tulare County Child Support Services and an Executive manager of the Minnesota child support program. Hoffman was appointed on Oct. 26.

“I’m so impressed with the work North Coast Regional Child Support Services does to serve the families of Humboldt and Trinity Counties. The Department has been recognized for its leadership and innovation in the child support program both statewide and nationally,” said Hoffman. “I look forward to joining the department and helping them continue their commitment of excellence and innovation to the families of the community.”

Appointed as the new Director of Human Resources, Le is responsible for advocating for employees, the county and community in planning and administering all functions related to human resources and risk management. Le was appointed as director in May.

Jefferson Billingsley had the interim removed from his title and was selected as County Counsel on Oct. 30. The office provides legal advice and representation to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, County Elected and Appointed Officials and departments. The County Counsel’s office also acts as a legal advisor for the Humboldt County Grand Jury and various Special Districts.