Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Reardon fires Human Services chief Janelle Sgrignoli

Janelle Sgrignoli was told the news just a few moments before an e-mail of the decision was sent out to the employees she oversaw.

By Jeff Switzer
Herald Writer

 Just days before Christmas, Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon fired a veteran county department head amid plans to revamp her department.

Human Services Department director Janelle Sgrignoli, who has worked for the county two dozen years, said her firing came "completely out of the blue."

"I can't explain their reasoning," she said. "They gave me no reason other than they wanted to go in a different direction and I wasn't part of that direction."

She was told of the decision by deputy county executive Mark Soine, who sent an e-mail to her staff minutes later. The e-mail reached the employees before Sgrignoli got back to her office.

She said the staff was sad and angry at the news.

"They started lining up outside my office door," she said.

Sgrignoli oversaw a staff of about 200 people and a $69 million annual budget. Her annual salary was about $138,000.

She started working for the county as an accountant in 1983. She became a member of senior leadership in 1993, was named deputy human services director in 1999 and was appointed director in 2000.

Soine's e-mail announced Sgrignoli would be replaced immediately by Cindy Hart, county deputy facilities management director, until a permanent replacement is found.

"It's the beginning of a new term, and the executive wants a fresh look and new ideas for the department," Reardon's spokesman Christopher Schwarzen said.

The Human Services Department handles social service programs, including veterans assistance, mental health counseling and money to pay for heat and electricity for the poor.

Reardon handily won re-election in November and begins his second four-year term in January. Sgrignoli was one of just a handful of department heads that Reardon hadn't already replaced.

"We have an ambitious agenda for Human Services in 2008," Soine wrote to county staff. "We're confident that Cindy will make a quick transition as interim director to move Human Services forward while we search for a permanent Human Services director."

The county hired Hart this summer. She worked for Everett-based Intermec for 12 years, where she was director and senior manager of employee services.

Sgrignoli was born and raised in Snohomish County and worked for county government as "a way to give back."

"I like the work, I believe in the work," she said. "I hope I was a good leader. I enjoyed my time there, providing vision to the department and services to the community.

"My department is full of great staff and they will continue to do a wonderful job."

Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA