Top 10 Chief Administrative Officers - 2026

Janice Oda-Gray brings together public- and private-sector experience in finance, accounting, budgeting, forecasting and operations to strengthen one of Chicago’s most important resources: its capacity to make informed financial decisions.

Patrick Bloomingdale is a public-sector leader with more than three decades of service to Douglas County, Nebraska. His expertise spans government administration, budgeting and finance, labor relations and legislative matters, with a focus on overseeing county operations and supporting effective public service delivery.

Dr. Samantha Sengel is a public-sector executive with more than two decades of experience in higher education management and leadership in New Mexico. As chief administrative officer for the City of Albuquerque, she oversees city operations and brings expertise in organizational leadership, workforce development, economic development and community partnerships. Her approach emphasizes collaboration across government and building opportunities for the region’s continued growth.

Shane Pace is a public-sector administrator with 36 years of service to Sandy City, Utah. As chief administrative officer, he oversaw municipal administration and city operations, drawing on decades of local government experience and involvement in professional city management organizations.

Justin McCarthy is a municipal executive with more than 21 years of first responder experience and a background in fire service leadership and emergency management. As As chief administrative officer for the City of New Haven, he oversees city departments and services spanning public safety, infrastructure and administration. His expertise includes budget management, labor relations, emergency response and coordinating operations across municipal departments.

D’Andrea Lancelin Walker is a public-sector executive with extensive experience in government administration, transportation and organizational leadership. As county administrative officer for Baltimore County, she oversees county operations and brings expertise in budgeting, business process improvement, legislative policy and public service delivery.

Jeff Davis is a transportation and public-sector executive with decades of leadership experience across public and private organizations. As As chief administrative officer at the Texas Department of Transportation, he oversees contract services, purchasing, fleet operations, human resources and support services. His background includes executive leadership in freight rail and multimodal transportation, operational strategy, infrastructure development and labor relations.

Meghan Rief is a senior executive service-certified leader with expertise in enterprise administration, workforce resilience and operational support within federal law enforcement. As As chief administrative officer at the U.S. Secret Service, she focuses on strengthening organizational governance, aligning administrative operations and managing resources to maintain mission readiness. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, operational accountability and partnerships across public and private se

Ebony Shelton is a public-sector executive with nearly three decades of experience in county government, including roles in human resources, financial management and strategic planning. As chief administrative officer for the County of San Diego, she oversees county operations and supports the Board of Supervisors in advancing policy priorities and delivering services to residents. Her work draws on expertise in budgeting, organizational leadership and public-sector financial management.

Janet Heit is a municipal administration professional focused on improving government operations, streamlining development processes and enhancing customer experience. As chief administrative officer for the City of Austin’s Development Services Department, she works on operational improvements and the adoption of AI technology to modernize permitting and plan review. Her approach emphasizes organizational clarity, process efficiency and more responsive services for residents and development sta