The dynamic duo! Linda Matteson, left, and Anne Laurent in Council Chambers will serve as the new Los Alamos County Deputy Managers. They begin their new roles next week. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Linda Matteson and Anne Laurent have long histories working for Los Alamos County. They have worn several hats and are about to put on some new ones.
County Manager Steven Lynne announced during the Oct. 5 County Council meeting that Matteson and Laurent will be his Deputy Managers. They begin their new positions next week.
“(I) really wanted to say congratulations to Linda and Anne, they both accepted offers to be our new Deputy County Managers,” Lynne said. “I’m really excited about it, and I think they are going to be a great team and I am really looking forward to it.”
During an interview Tuesday with the Los Alamos Daily Post, Matteson and Laurent echoed Lynne’s enthusiasm.
“I am super excited,” Matteson said. “I think it is the perfect opportunity (and) I am excited to serve the County in a very broad way.”
“I am certainly excited,” Laurent said. “It is always exciting to take on a new role and serve the community in a boarder way.”
As far as the Deputy Managers’ duties, Matteson said which County departments and initiatives each will preside over are still being finalized, but in Lynne’s absence, either of them would serve as the Acting County Manager.
“Our main role is to support the County Manager who supports the County Council,” Laurent said. “I think we are excited to get back to these two deputies … it’s not a new structure but with what the County has going on it makes sense.”
One of their biggest focuses is recruiting for all the open positions in the County due to retirements and new positions, Matteson said. Additionally, a succession plan is a big objective.
Laurent and Matteson have long histories working in the County.
Laurent has worked in the County for nine years. Her tenure in Los Alamos was briefly interrupted when she worked as the Community Development Director in Park City, Utah for four years. Laurent returned to Los Alamos to serve as the Public Works Director in 2019.
Working in Public Works has been an honor, she said.
“I’m super proud of the department and how responsive it is to the community – whether it is a pothole or a light out …,” Laurent said. “It has been a joy to work with Public Works these past two years.”
Her career with the County started as the Capital Projects and Facilities Manager in 2008 before tackling the merger of the Capital Projects and Facilities Department and the Community and Economic Development Department in 2012.
Laurent also served as Acting Assistant County Administrator.
Matteson has worked 15 years for the County. She began working in the Los Alamos County Public Library System in 2006 before moving on to be a Management Analyst in the Community Services Department. She also oversaw the DWI program. In 2015, to help in the effort to create the Manhattan Historical National Park, Matteson became the Assistant to the County Manager. Additionally, from 2019-2020, she served as the Acting Community Services Department Director.
Matteson said she grew up in Los Alamos but moved away for a period. To return to her hometown with her family and serve the community, she said, “…to me that is so fulfilling.”
In this new chapter of their careers, Laurent and Matteson said they are eager to join forces and work as a team.
“When Anne started working here … I knew I really wanted to work for her – this is the next best thing,” Matteson said.
“Linda and I haven’t had as many opportunities as we would like to work together,” Laurent said. “I think we have a lot in common in terms of background. We might approach things differently but … we both believe in the potential of Los Alamos.”
She added, “We are here because we want the community to continue to be great and where it can improve – we will improve.”
