Ethics Commission appoints Pat Ford as executive director, votes to withhold closed-session deliberations

The San Francisco Ethics Commission disclosed that, by a vote of 4-0 with one member absent, it appointed Pat Ford as the next executive director during a closed session and later voted unanimously not to disclose the closed-session deliberations.

Assistant City Attorney Bridal Rossi read the closed-session disclosure to the commission, saying the panel "voted to appoint Mr. Pat Ford as the next executive director of the Ethics Commission." The appointment was taken in closed session; the full commission later voted 4-0 to withhold the substance of that deliberation.

Pat Ford, speaking after the disclosure, thanked the commission and staff and said he was "incredibly grateful for the trust and confidence that you've placed in me." He said he was "excited to get to do the critical work" of the office, to "set a high bar for ethics and transparency," and to learn the "ins and outs" of the new role.

Chair Lee and Pat Ford confirmed Ford's start date will be Jan. 29. Chair Lee said the new director's first item of business will be dealing with the agency's budget.

The commission conducted the closed-session appointment under the administrative and government code provision cited on the meeting agenda. After the closed session, commissioners voted to not disclose the deliberations; the roll call on that motion recorded four ayes and no dissent.

The commission took other routine actions earlier in the meeting, including approving a consent calendar by roll call vote. The new executive director will join the agency as it prepares a detailed budget proposal and a February update the commission expects to receive from staff.