Kevin Drude, head of the county's Energy & Minerals Division, retired last week after nearly 26 years with the county. Drude — known for his long brunet hair, rancher attire, and love for horses — started as a county planner in 1990 after working as exotic dancer in Los Angeles while studying anthropology at UCLA.
Tasked with the difficult job of appeasing both environmentalists and oil industry representatives, Drude, 62, by many accounts, earned the respect of the conflicting sides. He made $167,800 annually, including benefits, according to Transparent California.
Drude recently sat down with the Santa Barbara Independent to talk about the evolution of oil production in Santa Barbara County, projects on the horizon, and the potential for positive change since the Refugio Oil Spill.