French Valley, CA – Supervisor Chuck Washington announced Friday that he has appointed Michelle DeArmond as his chief of staff. DeArmond replaces Jeff Comerchero, who retired Monday.

“Michelle DeArmond’s integrity, experience and well-established relationships make her a tremendous asset to Riverside County,” said Supervisor Chuck Washington.  “I have the utmost confidence in her ability to fill the vacancy created by my previous chief who has retired. Our entire Third District Team is excited to have Michelle join us.”

DeArmond will manage Supervisor Washington’s staff and oversee the district budget, assist with his legislative agenda and serve as a liaison to multiple County departments and other governments. She also will service as the office media contact.

“I am deeply honored to join Supervisor Washington’s excellent team and support his agenda during this challenging and critical time in Riverside County,” DeArmond said. “I am inspired by Supervisor Washington’s strong, steadfast leadership and share his commitment to being fiscally responsible with taxpayers’ dollars and providing quality service to our constituents.”

DeArmond worked previously for the County of Riverside Economic Development Agency and as chief of staff for the late Riverside County Supervisor John J. Benoit during most of his seven-year tenure. Prior to that she worked for O’Reilly Public Relations and had a lengthy career as a journalist with The Press-Enterprise and with The Associated Press in multiple locations across the country.

The Third Supervisorial District includes the cities of Hemet, Murrieta, San Jacinto and Temecula. It also includes the unincorporated communities of Aguanga, Anza, Cottonwood Canyon, French Valley, Gilman Hot Springs, Green Acres, Homeland, Idyllwild, Lake Riverside, Mountain Center, Murrieta Hot Springs, Pine Cove, Pinyon Pines, Poppet Flats, Rancho California, Soboba Hot Springs, Twin Pines, Valle Vista and Winchester. View all the cities in the Inland Empire.