Ekard Calls 'Character-Driven Team' His Legacy

We built libraries and substations, achieved phenomenal bond ratings, won many awards. But Walt Ekard doesn’t view those successes that came during his tenure running the County as his legacy.

“My legacy is the incredible character-driven team I left behind. A group of highly skilled professionals who come to work every day and do the right thing by the people we serve—a government that is better today than the day I left,” Ekard told employees at the County Operations Center this week.

The former chief administrative officer returned to the County to speak about his time as a public administrator and how “character is king” during a presentation for Ethics Awareness Month.

Ekard, who left the County in 2012, said great government organizations are character-driven organizations with a focus on ethics, integrity and doing what is right.

“My vision of a great organization is one that is filled with character-driven people—one that prides itself on hiring first for character, second for skills. One which fills its most important positions with people who are known first for their integrity, then for their particular intelligence they bring to the job. And that candidly is what you have here in San Diego County.”

Ekard stressed that acting with integrity is important at every level of the organization and critical to the success of our community.

“Believe it or not, people really do notice organizations focused on doing the right thing. Lots of people notice,” he said. “Our reputation for character is appreciated by those we serve, even if we don’t hear it very often.”

Ekard noted that the work by public servants is important, necessary and noble. He said the motto on our County seal is more than just a slogan.

‘“The Noblest Motive Is the Public Good’ is real for us,” he said. “There is a nobility to what we do in service jobs. It’s not just firefighters and cops, like those that went into Twin Towers on 9-11, that do noble work. The nobility of public service extends to all of us that do the work of the people—the nurses, and the auto mechanics, and the plan checkers, and the restaurant inspects, the people caring for our animals, our seniors, our poor people and our kids. What they each do is noble, too.”

During the lunchtime occasion, he said if he had one lasting piece of advice, it would be to fill our ranks with people that care and have character.

“Character has become a far more important factor in hiring and promoting than it ever has before,” he said. 

Joe Cordero, Director of the County’s Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC), said under Ekard’s leadership the County established itself as one of the best run in the nation. He credits this recognition with the commitment to ethics from our leaders and employees.

County Engineer Harshal Salway came out to hear Ekard speak about principles he tries to apply in his own profession and personal life.

“We should all be examples of good character at the County,” said Salway, who’s been with the County for more than 30 years. “The community will be better because of our actions.”

District Parks Manager Cailan Hunsaker said she went to the talk because she values Ekard’s experience both with the County and now as a consultant.

“I enjoy tapping into the leadership of our County and learning about their perspective,” said Hunsaker.

The speaker event was hosted by the Office of Ethics and Compliance Office, which formed during Ekard’s nearly 14-year tenure.

Even if you missed Ekard’s presentation, employees can still celebrate Ethics Awareness Month.

Employees can participate in the following ways:

• Take the Ethics 101 online training. Head over to LMS and search for “Ethics 101.” The video is just 8 minutes long.
• Request that OEC conduct an on-site ethics training or speak at your March all-hands department meeting.
• Check out the "Ethics In-a-Box” training resources for managers/supervisors. 

And remember: If you have a question on what is the right thing to do, reach out to your department’s chain of command. If an employee isn’t comfortable going to a supervisor or other manager, or if their concern relates to a supervisor or manager, they can call OEC or the County’s Ethics Hotline at (866) 549-0004. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is operated by a third party. So employees can report concerns anonymously. Employees can also report concerns online.