Meet the new No. 2

If Michael Spata’s résumé is any indication, Butte County scored a winner when it hired him as its new assistant chief administrative officer. He’s got more degrees than a thermometer: a J.D., an LL.M. in taxation, and M.P.A. and M.B.A. degrees, as well. He’s been a city attorney, an interim city manager, a senior deputy county counsel and a special deputy district attorney, as well as an attorney in private practice.

Not only that, much of this widely varied experience was gained working for Tulare County, where his boss was none other than Brian Haddix, now Butte County’s CAO. “Mr. Spata has demonstrated superior leadership throughout his career and will be an asset to Butte County,” Haddix said, understatedly, in a press release.