BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The Kern County Board of Supervisors announced its decision to name Brynn Carrigan as the new Director of Kern County Public Health, following Matt Constantine's retirement.

Carrigan, currently the Assistant Director of Kern County Public Health, will take over for Constantine on February 1. Constantine will stay on with public health until his retirement in March to assist in Carrigan's transition into the role, according to supervisors.

"This moment is certainly bittersweet," Carrigan said. "I have been dreading the day that my mentor and my friend, Matt Constantine, retires. But also, on the other hand, I am so excited to embark on this new journey."

The board made the decision during its closed session meeting Tuesday.

Carrigan served as the Assistant Director of Kern County Public Health since 2012. She has almost 14 years of experience working for the County of Kern. She graduated from South High School and California State University Bakersfield with a degree in Business Administration.

She served as incident commander of the department's operation center during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also been instrumental in a number of community programs such as Waste Hunger Not Food, Certified Health, and Know Your Numbers, according to Supervisors Chairman Phillip Peters.

"You have my commitment that I will give my very best self in all that I do for Public Health and for this community," Carrigan said.