Building the Team | SJC welcomes new DCD Director, Fire Marshal, Public Defender

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

San Juan County is pleased to welcome a new Director for the Department of Community Development, a Fire Marshal, and Public Defender. These new additions will help strengthen the County’s workforce and improve the organizations’ ability to serve the public.  

Director of Community Development

Sev Jones is serving as the County’s new Director of Community Development and comes to the islands with a wealth of experience in planning. Jones has served as the Director of Planning & Public Works for the Kalispel Tribe in eastern WA, the Planning Director for the Matanuska Susitna Borough in Alaska, and as a City Planner for both Kirkland WA and Boise ID. Sev also taught Urban Planning courses as an adjunct professor at Boise State University.

“I am very humbled to be given this opportunity,” Jones said. “I look forward to maintaining what the Department of Community Development is doing well while also continuing to advance our community engagement and involvement efforts to identify and address community-wide needs and opportunities.”    

The Department of Community Development (DCD) is responsible for building permits and inspections, code enforcement, land use policies, current and long-range planning, and more.

Fire Marshal 

With more than 35 years of experience in fire prevention, safety, and public service, Robert Salgado brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to his role as Fire Marshal for San Juan County. Over the course of his career, he has served in a variety of leadership and hands-on roles, including Senior Safety Engineer and District Manager with Cal/OSHA, Deputy Fire Marshal for the City of San Diego, and Fire Chief with the State of California Office of Protective Services (DDS). Robert also spent 18 years as a part-time Firefighter/EMT with the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District and worked as a journey-level electrician in a municipal setting—experience that gives him a deep understanding of both fire prevention and the practical realities of public safety work.

“Stepping into this role as Fire Marshal, I feel honored to serve a community as close-knit and vibrant as the San Juan Islands,” said Salgado. “Here, every home, every neighbor, and every acre of land matters — and I am inspired to protect and preserve all that makes this place truly special.”

He holds a Master of Science degree in Occupational Safety and Health and a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science. He is certified by the International Code Council (ICC) as a Fire Marshal, Building Inspector, Fire Inspector II, and Fire Plans Examiner. Robert is proud to serve the communities of the San Juan Islands with a focused and committed approach to fire prevention and life safety. When he’s not working, you’ll often find him outdoors—camping, hiking, fishing, or skateboarding throughout the islands and the Pacific Northwest.

Public Defender

Paul Cognac is the new Director of the Public Defender’s Office and comes to the islands with a wealth of experience in the criminal justice system. Most recently, Paul was the founding member of a private law firm focusing on complex federal and state white-collar crimes. Previously, Paul was a federal prosecutor in the Northern District of Georgia and the District of Alaska. He also served as a state prosecutor in Georgia, a tribal prosecutor in Washington, and a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 

The mission of the San Juan County Public Defender’s Office is “to protect the constitutional rights of the citizens of San Juan County.” This means providing independent and zealous representation for each person needing legal services to ensure that everyone visiting and living in the San Juan Islands has confidence in the justice system. 

The County is grateful for the experience and wisdom of new employees and the support they will provide to county staff and the public. The County looks forward to continued collaboration and growth as the organization strives to provide essential services to island residents.