Kathy, a native of Saginaw, Michigan earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Education from Eastern Michigan University and began her political career in 1979 working as an Administrative Assistant for the City of Detroit. Kathy moved to Los Angeles in 1981 taking a staff position with Los Angeles City Council President.
In 1988 Kathy and her husband Randy moved to Camarillo where they started a small pest control business, and joined the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce. Kathy served on numerous Chamber committees and as President in 1991. Former Supervisor Maggie Erickson Kildee hired Kathy as her Administrative Assistant in fall of 1991, where she worked until elected to the office in 1996.
Supervisor Long served as Chair of the Board of Supervisors in 2000, 2005, and 2010. Her priorities for 2011 will be to provide strong fiscal leadership to the County’s budget, deliver cost effective programs for public safety, health and welfare of all residents. Priorities will be on the state realignment of programs to the county, including that impacting law enforcement, low-income children and seniors; and working to re-vitalize our local economy to retain and grow businesses and jobs.
In addition to her work as Supervisor, Kathy participates as an active member of service and business organizations within the Third District. She was named the 2002 - 2003 Camarillo Chamber of Commerce “Public Servant of the Year” and in 2004 the Ventura County Leadership Academy honored her with the “Distinguished Community Leader Award” and in April, 2005 Supervisor Long received the American Red Cross Clara Barton “Public Servant of the Year” award. In 2004 and 2005 Kathy received the Ventura County Economic Development Association’s (VCEDA) “Spirit of Government Award”. In February 2010 Supervisor Long received the “Extraordinary Service Award” from the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation’s “David C. Fainer, M.D. Awards.”