Dr. Dirk Anderson of Smithfield has joined the administrative staff of Cache County as chief deputy to County Executive David N. Zook.
CACHE COUNTY – A new employee has joined the administrative staff of Cache County.
Dr. Dirk L. Anderson of Smithfield assumed the role of chief deputy to County Executive David N. Zook as of Mar. 15.
While introducing Anderson to members of the county council, Zook described him as having “… a tremendous amount of experience in local and state government.”
“He has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public policy (from Brigham Young University) and a PhD. in leadership (from the University of the Cumberlands),” Zook explained. “Dirk has worked at the city level as a policy/budget analyst for the Provo Municipal Council (in 2009).”
Anderson also worked for four different governors in three states. Those include Gov. John Huntsman Jr. of Utah as primary budget and policy analyst for higher education; Gov. Gray Davis of California as primary budget and policy analyst over Aging Services; Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California as primary budget and policy analyst over various departments; and Gov. Bill Walker of Alaska as budget director of the Department of Health and Social Services.
Anderson now lives in Smithfield with his wife Rory and two sons, Evan and Gideon.
Zook described the recruitment effort that resulted in Anderson’s hiring as “a long and difficult process.”
“We had almost three dozen applicants for this position,” the county executive added. “I would say that, other than my decision to run for elected office, this was the most difficult professional decision I’ve had to make.
“But Dirk really rose to the top of that crop of applicants because of his experience, personality and education.”
Zook credited Council Chair Barbara Y. Tidwell with serving on the selection committee for the chief deputy post, where she agreed with other members of that panel that Anderson was the best candidate for the job.
In brief remarks to the county council members, Anderson said that he’s “excited to serve here” in Cache County.
“I have a passion for good government,” he added. “I am excited to help our county continue to be the best place in the world to live … I hope to add my energy and insight to the amazing leadership of County Executive Zook and to add my professional contributions to the productive efforts of everyone here in our beautiful valley.”
In welcoming Anderson to his new role, Zook said that he believes that his new chief deputy’s education and experience will definitely benefit Cache County.