Kerry Garcia

Kerry Garcia was appointed Chief Deputy Director, Administration, effective February 17, 2025. The Chief Deputy Director of Administration, is a newly established position within the Executive Team with a focus on day-to-day administrative responsibilities in the department and allows for better span of control in collaboration with the current Chief Deputy Director of Operations, and the State Fire Marshal.

Kerry is uniquely qualified to fill this new role, as she has extensive CAL FIRE administrative experience having worked for the department for 17 years. Kerry began her career in the Human Resources Office in 2008, as a Staff Services Analyst, where she promoted to an Associate Personnel Analyst before shifting focus into the Headquarters Administrative Office in 2010. In the Administrative Office, Kerry held positions as Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Staff Services Manager I, and Staff Services Manager II, and provided support to the CAL FIRE Executive Programs, Management Services, Resource Management, Fire Protection, and Office of the State Fire Marshal. In 2016, Kerry transferred to the Business Services Office as Acquisitions Manager, overseeing Procurement and Contracting as the Procurement Officer for the Department and later that year, Kerry was promoted to Chief, Business Services Office, where she served until 2018 when she accepted her assignment as Assistant Deputy Director, Fiscal Services. In March 2020, Kerry was appointed Deputy Director, Fiscal Services, with oversight and policy responsibility for all fiscal operations of CAL FIRE including accounting, emergency response billing, budgeting, business services, contracting, and procurement. Most recently, Kerry filled the Deputy Director of Management Services position in February 2023 with responsibility for Human Resource Management, Behavioral Health and Wellness, Labor Relations, Technical Services, and Capital Outlay Budgets.

During her time with CAL FIRE, Kerry has had opportunity to serve on several committees, task force groups and working groups within the department. Kerry’s strong administrative background, coupled with her understanding of CAL FIRE operational needs, and her ability to develop relationships with internal and external stakeholders, will continue to serve her and the department well in this new position.