Robin Musitelli, a former journalist and analyst to two Santa Cruz County Supervisors, has announced she will retire from Supervisor Bruce McPherson’s office at the end of June.
Musitelli has worked as a reporter/editor in Santa Cruz County for almost 30 years, starting her award-winning journalism career writing for her family’s newspapers as a child in Wyoming, Besides Wyoming newspapers, Musitelli has worked at Valley Press/Scotts Valley Banner, the San Jose Mercury and the Santa Cruz Sentinel where she was hired by then-editor Bruce McPherson.
Musitelli left the newspaper world in 2001 to work for the then newly-elected Supervisor Ellen Pirie, who represented the Second Supervisorial District for 12 years. Musitelli worked for Pirie for all three terms.
When McPherson was elected to represent the Fifth Supervisorial District in 2013, Musitelli moved down the hall to work as McPherson’s analyst.
A resident of the San Lorenzo Valley for almost 40 years, Musitelli has a wide-ranging appreciation and knowledge of the mountain communities. The San Lorenzo Valley Chamber of Commerce named her Woman of the Year in 2017. She has been active in the community, particularly in the horse-related ventures.
“I feel very fortunate to have lived, raised my children, and worked in the incredible San Lorenzo Valley for so many years,” she said. “I can’t imagine a more interesting, fulfilling career than I have had – journalism and public service.”
Said supervisor McPherson, “Anyone who knows Robin recognizes she is the epitome of a professional public servant who cares deeply about her community. She knows the County’s operations inside and out, and has been an invaluable asset in attaining our many accomplishments in the Fifth District, and throughout Santa Cruz County. I wish her the best in her retirement, but let her know that I still may be calling to get her input from time to time.”
J.M. Brown has been selected to fill Musitelli’s position. Brown brings to Supervisor McPherson’s office many years of professional communications experience and volunteer leadership in public service.
Brown, 42, worked eight years as an award-winning reporter for the Santa Cruz Sentinel, first covering the San Lorenzo Valley and countywide public education beats, which included the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley school districts. He later wrote about the City of Santa Cruz, reporting broadly on environmental, regulatory and economic development issues.
After leaving the Sentinel, Brown managed accounts for the communications firm Miller Maxfield, where he worked closely with Supervisor McPherson’s office on the establishment of Monterey Bay Community Power. Most recently, Brown has served as Community Relations Manager for the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, where he oversees public outreach, business partnerships and special events.
As a community volunteer, Brown has served three years on the county’s Housing Advisory Commission and was appointed chair of that panel in March. Brown also serves as chair of the Arts Council Santa Cruz County Board of Directors and vice chair of the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Commission.