Director’s resume raises questions

Mariposa County officials finally provided some of the details from the resume of the new development services director, Greg Thompson.

County officials initially refused to provide information about Thompson’s education and work background. The Mariposa Gazette argued the information was public under the California Public Records Act.

The information disclosed by the county reveals Thompson did not have the minimum qualifications sought in terms of education or certifications, but a “substitution clause” allowed the county to consider his work experience in lieu of those credentials.

Thompson was one of three finalists for the position. The Mariposa Gazette has learned that at least one other finalist had the preferred master’s degree and all of the requested certifications.

Thompson’s educational background includes classes taken at Merced College with an “emphasis on Association of Arts with pre-qualification classes for transfer to four year university,” according to the county. That phrasing notably does not include mention of any degree.

Thompson received certifications on easements and land use from Lorman Education Services, an online training course, as well as certifications in local government organization and management.

Thompson’s educational background, at first glance, would seem to come up short with the minimum qualifications outlined in the county’s job posting for the development services director position.

That included a “bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with course work in planning, public administration, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental studies or directly related courses or related fields.”

A master’s degree in public administration, management or a related field was preferred.

The job posting also listed preferred certifications as a building official from an association such as the Council of American Building Officials (CABO), a registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) and the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

Thompson’s resume includes none of those certifications.

But like many of the county’s job openings, this one had a so-called substitution clause that allows a candidate to qualify with “any combination of training, education and experience.”

While Thompson had none of the minimum educational requirements listed, he did have experience.

Thompson was the Community Development Director and deputy city manager for the city of Atwater. He also served for a time as the city’s public works director.

In that position he had oversight and management of all city planning, engineering, housing, infrastructure and real estate activities.

He was also in charge of preparing the city Housing Element. Atwater was one of several Central Valley communities Gov. Gavin Newsom recently scolded for not having finished its housing element on time, which is required under state law.

After five years with the city of Atwater, he was terminated on March 21, 2025.

From a public records request, the Mariposa Gazette obtained a severance agreement Thompson signed with the City of Atwater, agreeing he would not sue the city. In exchange, he received a lump sum of $63,000.

After he was fired from Atwater, Thompson became a transportation planner for GHD, Inc., a construction and engineering company.

Thompson has also served on the Merced Planning Commission, including as its chair.

Thompson was a land development manager for Joseph Gallo Farms, the Gallo Cattle Company and 5 G’s Corporation from 2005 to 2018.

Working for Gallo, Thompson had oversight of real estate, entitlements, appraisals, building permits, water rights and data collection for the California Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Previously, Thompson was a planning technician for the Merced Irrigation District from 2003 to 2005.

Thompson was one of 24 applicants screened for Mariposa County’s development services director position.

There were 18 applicants who were interviewed by County Administrative Officer Joe Lynch.

Five applicants were interviewed by the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors.

A previous candidate was offered the job but in November 2025 he declined the job offer.

Thompson was interviewed by the supervisors for the position on Feb. 11. He began on April 6 and was approved by the board on April 7.

Thompson is considered an at-will department head who serves at the direction of the county administrative officer.

He is paid $166,235.