The Orange County Board of Supervisors has tapped another long-time county manager as interim CEO while its search for a permanent administrator continues.
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On Tuesday, June 23, the five supervisors unanimously appointed KC Roestenberg to replace outgoing CEO Michelle Aguirre, who is set to retire Friday after two years manning the CEO seat, making it clear from the beginning she did not want to take the job on a permanent basis.
CEO Michelle Aguirre talks to a colleague before the OC Board of Supervisors meeting in Santa Ana on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The board selected KC Roestenberg, the county’s chief information officer, as interim CEO. He replaces outgoing Aguirre, who retires June 26. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
KC Roestenberg talks with a colleague before the OC Board of Supervisors meeting in Santa Ana on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The board selected Roestenberg, the county’s chief information officer, as interim CEO. He replaces outgoing CEO Michelle Aguirre, who retires June 26. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen speaks about retiring CEO Michelle Aguirre during their meeting in Santa Ana on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The board selected KC Roestenberg, the county’s chief information officer, as interim CEO to replace the retiring Aguirre. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley speaks during their meeting in Santa Ana on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The board selected KC Roestenberg, the county’s chief information officer, as interim CEO to replace the retiring CEO Michelle Aguirre. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A photo of retiring CEO Michelle Aguirre is displayed during the Orange County Supervisors meeting in Santa Ana on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The board selected KC Roestenberg, the county’s chief information officer, as interim CEO to replace the retiring Aguirre. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
CEO Michelle Aguirre listens to accolades from the OC Board of Supervisors during their meeting in Santa Ana on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The board selected KC Roestenberg, the county’s chief information officer, as interim CEO. He replaces outgoing Aguirre, who retires June 26. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee speaks about CEO Michelle Aguirre during their meeting in Santa Ana on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The board selected KC Roestenberg, the county’s chief information officer, as interim CEO to replace the retiring Aguirre. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) in Santa Ana on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Supervisors Janet Nguyen, Vicente Sarmiento, Doug Chaffee, retiring CEO Michelle Aguirre, supervisors Katrina Foley and Don Wagner, from left, take a photo during the supervisors’ meeting in Santa Ana on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The board selected KC Roestenberg, the county’s chief information officer, as interim CEO to replace the retiring Aguirre. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Roestenberg, the county’s current chief information officer, will take over the position while the board continues recruiting for a new leader for the county’s 18,000 employees.
As interim CEO, Roesternberg will oversee a $10.5 billion budget and 23 departments ranging from public health to regional parks, public works to law enforcement. Roestenberg’s annual salary while in the role will be $430,000.
Former CEO Frank Kim retired in July 2024 after nine years in office. Kim initially agreed to extend his contract through 2025, but then said he ultimately decided it was time to focus on his personal life after nearly three decades in county government.
In September 2024, after a national search that didn’t result in a hiring, the board appointed then-Chief Financial Officer Aguirre as interim CEO. Aguirre declined an offer to take on the job permanently, saying she wanted to spend more time with family after working in the county’s administration for 35 years. Her annual salary was set at $460,000.
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Supervisor Katrina Foley said Tuesday that Roesternberg has been shadowing Aguirre over the past two weeks to get acquainted with the role.
“Mr. Roestenberg brings two decades of county experience and knowledge of county operations,” Foley said. “We look forward to working with you. The summer is going to be a lot of work to be prepared for the fall.”
Roestenberg has worked for the county for 19 years and has served as the chief information officer since 2022. Prior to that, he worked in the CEO’s office as executive manager of the information division. He graduated from the University of Phoenix with a degree in information technology.
In February, the county launched another national CEO search in preparation for Aguirre’s looming departure, hiring the HR firm Wendi Brown Creative Partners to oversee the recruitment process. The search remains ongoing, officials said.
Foley has called Aguirre “an exceptional CEO” who guided the county through major crises, including the 2024 Airport fire and policy changes at the state and federal government levels, as well as audits into contracts involving disgraced former Supervisor Andrew Do.
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“We’re going to be at a huge loss,” Foley said, “when she leaves.”