More than two decades ago, Neal Caiazzo was fishing near Graeagle, mentally contrasting the bucolic scene with Sacramento, where he was living at the time. He turned to his brother-in-law and said, “Wouldn’t it be nice to live here.”
Months later he and his wife moved their toddler and newborn to Quincy, where Caiazzo began working for the Plumas County Social Services Department. Now, after 21 years of service, he is retiring as director of the department.
“Neal has served loyally and through some very difficult times,” said Greg Hagwood, chairman of the Plumas County Board of Supervisors. The supervisors presented Caiazzo with a set of barbecue tools in a wooden box engraved with his years of service to the county.
“We give him our thanks from a grateful board of supervisors,” Hagwood said.
Caiazzo grew up on Long Island, New York. He was living in Arizona when he met his wife, who grew up in Sacramento. They moved to the California capital, where he completed his master’s degree in social work at National University.
His father-in-law had been vacationing in Graeagle since his childhood, a pattern Caiazzo and his wife continued. After his fishing moment of clarity, he began looking for jobs in Plumas County.
Caiazzo launched his career with the county as a social worker with Child Protective Services. He then supervised Cal WORKS, providing temporary financial assistance to needy families while they seek employment and self-sufficiency. Before becoming social services department director in 2018, Caiazzo was director of employment and services.
As director, he saw Plumas County through the difficult COVID years, when his staff continued to go to their offices to work while most of America was self-quarantined at home. “I’m proud of our ability to deliver services despite the hardship,” he said.
During the Dixie Fire Caiazzo fought flames directly as a volunteer with the Quincy Fire Department. He also helped set up shelters for evacuees during both the Camp and Dixie fires.
Caiazzo plans to move to Florida, where his wife, who is a therapist, has a job waiting. “I’ll pick up East Coast fishing where I left off in Long Island,” he said.
Caiazzo’s last day was May 31.
Department head vacancies decreasing
Caiazzo’s departure leaves Plumas County with one more department head vacancy for a total of five out of 21. Open positions include the head of the county counsel’s office, currently filled by Interim County Counsel Josh Brechtel, and director of the human resources department, covered by County Administrative Officer Debra Lucero pending resolution of the criminal case against Nancy Selvage, currently on administrative leave while facing three felony counts filed against her in November 2023.
Rob Robinette is interim director of the environmental health department, and Rob Thorman is acting director of the public works department. The supervisors are expected to appoint Debbie Wingate as acting director of the social services department following Caiazzo’s retirement.
While that many interim or acting department heads may be concerning, it’s a far cry from the vacancies that have beset Plumas County in the recent past. Between 2020 and 2022, 19 of 26 department heads left their positions. (The county has since consolidated several departments.) Resignations continued in 2023.
The supervisors have recently filled vacancies in the building, facilities, library and public health departments. In November, Allen Hiskey was appointed clerk of the board of supervisors, a department head position.
