Craig Griesbach is the County’s new Information and General Services Agency (IGS) Director. Griesbach will oversee the County’s information technology, emergency services, facilities, airport, library operations and general services such as purchasing.
He previously served as the County’s Director of Emergency Services and has been serving as interim IGS Director since late December 2024 when his predecessor Steve Monaghan retired.
“Craig has a proven record of successfully leading key county programs,” said County Executive Officer Alison Lehman. “Under his leadership, he’s implemented award-winning microgrant programs for our Firewise communities, advanced our emergency preparedness at the neighborhood level, and is leading us through our biomass pilot project, processing over 5,000 tons of hazardous fuels from priority evacuation routes.”
He's also been responsible for the management of the Office of Emergency Services $60 million grants portfolio enhancing community preparedness. Prior to being the Director of Emergency Services, he served as the Director of Building, Code and Cannabis Compliance and led the creation of an award-winning Over-the-Counter Plan Review Program and regional Housing Master Plans to make building more accessible and affordable, as well as the development of the County’s Cannabis Compliance program.
Griesbach is excited to take on new challenges in his expanded role with the county. “I’m looking forward to tackling the challenges ahead, including exploring economic opportunities at our airport, overseeing significant improvements to our aging county facilities, leveraging innovation through technology, and supporting our library system. At the same time, I’ll continue to build on our work in emergency preparedness, making sure we are ready for any future challenges our community may encounter,” he said.
Griesbach brings over 19 years of experience managing and leading various local government programs, including over 11years at Nevada County in his roles as Emergency Services Director and as the Director of Building, Code and Cannabis Compliance before that.
“I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve the community that I love and lucky enough to live, work, and play in. I look forward to continuing working hand-in-hand with our residents, county staff, businesses, and partners that will help our community flourish,” Griesbach added.
He has a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, is a graduate of the Nevada County Community Leadership Institute, graduate of the UC Davis Executive Leadership Program, and is a credentialed Fellow and Senior Executive of the California State Association of Counties.
Being born and raised on a large cattle and logging ranch in Northern California, Griesbach is passionate about the outdoors, the environment, and the culture that Nevada County is well known for. He is married with three sons who attend school in Grass Valley and actively participate in several local sports. In his free time, he enjoys riding motorcycles, backpacking, working outdoors, and coaching youth sports.