Mittermeier Expected to Take Reins at John Wayne

Assistant Airport Manager Jan Mittermeier, who joined county government as an auditor 16 years ago and now is its highest paid woman, is expected to assume the top job at John Wayne Airport today with the unanimous support of county supervisors.

Supervisors indicated Monday that they will appoint Mittermeier, 50, to at least temporarily replace beleaguered Airport Manager George Rebella, who resigned Friday, citing stress and illness. But she is also considered the leading candidate for the permanent post.

Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez said he believes that Mittermeier will provide continuity that is critically needed.

“I’ve always had a very high regard for Jan’s work,” said Vasquez, who first met Mittermeier when he was a supervisor’s aide in the early 1980s. “The first and lasting impression is her attention to detail and her very thorough follow-through.”

Mittermeier, whose annual salary is $87,838, leap-frogged past her former boss on the county pay scale earlier this year when Rebella, widely criticized for delays and cost overruns in the recently completed airport expansion, was denied an annual raise.

Mittermeier, who was transferred to the airport staff from the county auditor’s office in June, 1987, declined to comment at length until after her position is official.

“If that’s what they (supervisors) want I would be very happy to do it,” she said.

Mittermeier would assume the post at a critical time for the airport. The new $63-million terminal opened nine days ago to much fanfare but only after running $15 million over budget and falling 5 1/2 months behind schedule.

Along with overseeing greatly expanded operations and working out any kinks in the new system, Mittermeier will also have a major lawsuit with which to contend. Taylor Woodrow Construction California Ltd., the prime contractor on the airport expansion, was fired last spring from a parking garage and roadway contract when supervisors complained of delays and cost overruns. Taylor Woodrow has since sued the county, claiming breach of contract and demanding at least $7.2 million in damages.

Mittermeier is one of 10 women in county government who hold executive management positions. The remaining 66 executive managers in county government are men: The top wage earner is County Administrative Officer Ernie Schneider, with an annual salary of $129,002.

Mittermeier began her career with the county as an entry level auditor in 1974 at the age of 36. A mother of two, she had returned to college to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Cal State Long Beach after her two sons began elementary school, former co-workers recalled.

Juggling career, family and education, Mittermeier earned her master’s degree in business while working for the auditor’s office. One co-worker recalled her disappointment when, as she headed for a tough final examination that she had studied hard for, she was called home to care for her son who had broken his arm.

She took care of her son and then took the exam later, a co-worker recalled.

“That was an example of her determination,” said Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller Charles Hulse. “She never asked for or wanted any special treatment. She felt maybe she had to work a little harder but she was willing to do whatever it took.”

Hulse recalled that Mittermeier quickly earned a reputation in the auditor’s office for her dogged pursuit of problem audits, both within county agencies and with outside contractors. She became the first woman manager in the office and later the first female chief of audits, Hulse said.

“She has a reputation as a tough cookie,” Hulse said. “Jan always got involved in touchy areas that were real sticky.” But, he added, “if it takes finesse she can use finesse. Will she do better with sprinkling a little sugar? Then that’s what she does.”

TOP WOMEN IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT Of 76 executive management positions in Orange County government, 10 are filled by women. Here are their salaries: Name, Title, Agency Jan Mittermeier, assistant manager of John Wayne Airport Salary $87,838 Name, Title, Agency Eileen Walsh, executive manager, county administrative office Salary $86,736 Name, Title, Agency Maria Bastanchury, executive manager, county administrative office Salary $83,200 Name, Title, Agency Carol Kiser, director of agency administration, Health Care Agency Salary $83,054 Name, Title, Agency *Mary Jean Hackwood, retirement administrator Salary $80,163 Name, Title, Agency Nancy Nelson, chief deputy probation officer Salary $79,290 Name, Title, Agency Diane Edwards, director of adult and employment services, Social Services Salary $76,357 Name, Title, Agency Vicki L. Wilson, assistant director, Integrated Waste Management Department Salary $75,462 Name, Title, Agency *Margaret Hamlin, clerk and administrative officer, South Municipal Court Salary $70,200 Name, Title, Agency *Linda Ruth, clerk, Board of Supervisors Salary $64,272 * Classified as department head in county personnel records.

Source: Russell C. Patten, Orange County personnel director.