Barbara Fitzgerald

“I’m really looking forward to the challenges of 1998 and working to create an agency all of us can be proud of.”

Age: 51

Home: Ventura

Profession: Director, Ventura County Public Social Services Agency.

Latest Accomplishment: Appointment in November as permanent director of PSSA, an 880-employee agency that administers public services for poor and disabled people and abused children. A 29-year county employee, Fitzgerald said she is “helping to bring peace” to factions that have argued over management of Casa Pacifica, a controversial children’s shelter.

Goals for 1998: High on Fitzgerald’s to-do list is welfare reform. She said that includes removal of thousands of recipients from public aid in a humane way by enabling them to be self-sufficient. Another goal is providing social workers with training and support to make good decisions to protect abused youngsters. “We’ve got an excellent staff, but we’ve been standing still or sort of slipping backward,” she said.