Washoe County has appointed Ryan Gustafson as assistant county manager, with the change taking effect March 30.
Gustafson has worked for the county since September 2017 and currently serves as director of the Human Services Agency. In the new position, he will move from leading that agency to supporting countywide priorities and strategic initiatives as part of the county manager’s leadership team.
Gustafson brings more than two decades of experience in human services, with a career focused on child welfare and children’s mental health.
His public service work began in 2000 and includes time with the Washoe County School District, the State of Nevada, and local psychiatric facilities.
Gustafson graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in educational psychology. In 2007, he became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and later spent several years in private clinical practice.
During his career, Gustafson has focused on building systems that support people and families and improving access to services for vulnerable members of the community.
While serving as director of the Human Services Agency, he helped guide programs and partnerships that provide support to people across Washoe County.
In his new role as assistant county manager, Gustafson will work with County Manager Kate Thomas and the county’s executive leadership team to advance strategic priorities and support essential services across the county.
