New Plumas CAO, Daniel Pargee, Starts Work

QUINCY — Plumas County’s new County Administrative Officer (CAO), Daniel Pargee, started work in the position this Monday, June 1. Pargee’s appointment was announced at the May 5 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.

Pargee grew up in San Bernardino County and studied at California State University, San Bernardino, and CSU, Chico, where he earned a degree in Political Science after an International Business Law program in London, UK.

He and his wife, a Chester native and also a Chico State alumnus, served in the Peace Corps in Madagascar from 2008 to 2010. After their service, they attended graduate school in New York City, where Dan earned a Master of Public Administration from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University.

Pargee and his family returned to Plumas County in 2019. His children are fifth-generation residents and attend grade school in Quincy.

Before his appointment as CAO, Pargee was Chief Operating Officer at LAFAZA Foods, a multinational agricultural business. He managed global sales, operations, budgeting, planning, regulatory compliance, and organizational development.

The CAO’s position has been vacant since January, 2025. Pargee said his top priority in beginning the job will be to listen and learn. “I will build relationships with county staff, department heads, elected officials, and community partners to better understand the opportunities and challenges facing Plumas County,” he said. Looking ahead, he said, he aims to “strengthen collaboration across county government, support transparent, fiscally responsible operations, and provide steady, practical leadership to help the County better serve residents.”