Ron Overholt Named Interim Administrative Director of the Courts

FOR RELEASE


Contact: Lynn Holton, Public Information Officer, 415-865-7740

July 25, 2011

Judicial Council Appoints Ron Overholt Interim Administrative Director of the Courts

Appointment to Take Effect on September 10, 2011

Ron Overholt photoSan Francisco—On Friday, July 22, 2011, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye announced that she and the Judicial Council have approved the appointment of Mr. Ronald G. Overholt as Interim Administrative Director of the California Courts, effective September 10, 2011. Mr. Overholt will succeed Mr. William C. Vickrey, who will retire on September 9, 2011, after serving in that position for 19 years.

“With this appointment, the Judicial Council is ensuring an integrated transition of leadership at the Administrative Office of the Courts and the continuity of excellence in the administration of statewide courts,” stated the Chief Justice, who chairs the Judicial Council, the policymaking body for state courts.

“As Chief Deputy Director of the AOC for the past 11 years and as a highly experienced former trial court executive, Ron is intimately familiar with the statewide budget process and many other aspects of court administration. I look forward to working with Ron and have confidence that he will continue the highest standards of leadership.”

Judge Kevin A. Enright, chair of the Judicial Council’s Presiding Judges Advisory Committee, said: “Ron is an excellent appointment as Interim Administrative Director of the Courts. He is extremely knowledgeable and capable. His appointment will provide consistency in our judicial branch during these unprecedented and difficult economic times.” Judge Enright is presiding judge of the Superior Court of San Diego County.

Of his appointment, Mr. Overholt said, “I am so honored to serve the courts, the public, and the AOC as Interim Administrative Director of the Courts. I could not be more proud to be a member of the staff of the AOC and to lead its work.”

At Friday’s meeting, the Judicial Council also requested that the Chief Justice appoint a small committee to develop a process for selecting the next Administrative Director of the Courts. Mr. Overholt has served as Chief Deputy Director of the California Courts since 2000. Before joining the AOC, Mr. Overholt held the position of Executive Officer, Jury Commissioner, and Clerk of the Superior Court of Alameda County for the majority of his 12-year career in Alameda County. He previously served in management positions for the Superior Court of San Diego County (1979–1988).

Mr. Overholt is past president of the California Association for Superior Court Administration and a former member of the board of directors of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials. He has served as an advisory member of the Judicial Council of California (1995–1998); chair of the Judicial Council’s Court Executives Advisory Committee, and member of the Judicial Council’s Executive and Planning Committee.

Mr. Overholt also served as a member of the Judicial Council’s Trial Court Budget Commission, Trial Court Funding Task Force, for which he chaired the Task Force Subcommittee on the Status of Trial Court Employees, and the Task Force on Trial Court Employees. He also served as a negotiator on behalf of the Judicial Council for the passage of legislation for state trial court funding in 1997.

In 2010, Mr. Overholt received the National Center for State Court’s Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest honors bestowed by the national organization. The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to those who have made significant contributions to the judicial administration field. Mr. Overholt was honored by the Judicial Council in 1997 with the Distinguished Service Award for Court Administration; in 2007 he received the Dale Sipes’ Spirit of Justice Award from the AOC.

Mr. Overholt received a master’s degree in public administration from National University in San Diego and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from San Diego State University.

Ron and his wife, PJ, have a daughter, Blaire.

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