Inyo County’s Griffiths Elected Top CSAC Official

Inyo County Supervisor Jeff Griffiths has been sworn in as the next president of one of the largest local-government advocacy groups in the country.

The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) – founded in 1895 to serve as the voice for all counties across the state – elected Griffiths at the 130th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles County to serve as its new President. He joins Immediate Past President Bruce Gibson of San Luis Obispo, First Vice President Susan Ellenberg of Santa Clara County, and Second Vice President Luis Alejo of Monterey County on the leadership team for 2025.

Griffiths previously served as Second Vice President in 2023 and First Vice President in 2024.

The swearing-in ceremony was held Thursday, November 21 at the Pasadena Convention Center. Friends, family, colleagues, and other well-wishers gathered to watch the historic event, marking the first time in the organization’s history that an Inyo County supervisor will wear the mantle of President.

Griffiths was formally nominated for the post of President earlier in the day by Inyo County Supervisor Matt Kingsley, whose nomination was seconded by Sierra County Supervisor Lee Adams.

During his address later that evening, Griffiths was quick to thank the CSAC membership for their trust in him and to emphasize the need to continue striving to improve the lives of their county constituents despite political turmoil at the national level.

“As CSAC President, I am honored to lead an organization that unites California’s 58 counties, each bringing its unique challenges, strengths, and perspectives,” said Griffiths. “Despite our differences, we are bound by a shared mission to improve lives and create thriving communities. Together, we demonstrate that collaboration and unity are the strongest forces for progress.”

CSAC Chief Executive Officer Graham Knaus noted that the 2025 leadership team brings a rounded perspective to the organization.

“I congratulate our newly elected officers who will lead CSAC’s efforts on behalf of California’s 58 counties in 2025,” said Knaus. “With their deep experience and diverse perspectives, these leaders are uniquely equipped to represent urban, suburban, and rural counties as we tackle critical challenges like homelessness, climate resilience, and other pressing issues affecting our communities.”

Griffiths is no stranger to public service. He credits his parents and upbringing on a dairy farm in Ohio with instilling in him a commitment to hard work and desire to help his community. After serving two years in the Peace Corps teaching sustainable agriculture and forestry and water system construction in Panama, Griffiths relocated to Bishop where he joined the boards of several non-profit groups, raised two sons, foster-parented dozens of local youth, served on the First 5 Commission and Bishop City Council, and ultimately the Inyo County Board of Supervisors, having been elected in 2012.

Just a week prior to Supervisor Griffiths’ inauguration, proof of his advocacy at the state level was on display as Caltrans installed signs along U.S. 395 denoting the stretch of highway as the “Dave McCoy Memorial Highway,” bringing to fruition a years’ long effort to honor the late Mammoth Mountain Ski Area that Griffiths helped shepherd through the state bureaucratic process.

The idea was introduced in 2023 by Bishop resident and longtime friend of McCoy’s Randy Short, who inspired Griffiths to work with CSAC to take the proposal all the way to the desk of Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, who sponsored the legislation ultimately allowing the highway memorial.

Owens Griffiths (far right) had the honor or swearing into office the 2025 leadership team for the California State Association of Counties, including (l-r) Immediate Past President Bruce Gibson of San Luis Obispo County, Second Vice President Luis Alejo of Monterey County, First Vice President Susan Ellenberg of Santa Clara County, and Inyo County’s own District 2 Supervisor Jeff Griffiths, who was elected the organization’s president.