On Monday, Corroon tapped longtime human resources manager Karen Suzuki-Okabe as deputy mayor and business consultant Doug Willmore as chief administrative officer.

As the only "declared" Democrat in then-Gov. Mike Leavitt's Cabinet, Suzuki-Okabe oversaw Utah's 23,000 state employees for 10 years as executive director of human resources before retiring in July. She served in the same post under Democratic Gov. Scott Matheson in 1984-85 and held a similar job under Salt Lake City Mayor Palmer DePaulis in 1987-92.

"I call it my trifecta," Suzuki-Okabe said Monday regarding her first foray into county government.

Being visible in the community and meeting a variety of people, she says, will help restore public trust as the county's new administration takes charge next month. "It's a key part and it's something I enjoy," the new deputy mayor said.

In the affable Suzuki-Okabe, Corroon says he has found an ideal alter ego.

"She gets along well with people, has good self-confidence and speaks well," he said. "I felt she would be a good fit."

Willmore, a business consultant with federal government experience, will replace David Marshall as the county's chief administrative officer.

A Democrat all but unknown in political circles, Willmore calls his novelty a benefit - especially in a county government racked by scandal.

"I don't have a tie to anything that's been done in the past," he said. "Sometimes, those sacred things that people hold onto need to be changed."

Corroon, who takes office Jan. 3, agreed.

"He's somebody that will take a fresh look at county government . . . who will inspire people to look at things in a new way," Corroon said.

Willmore, who did a stint in Central America in private-sector development for the U.S. State Department, replaces one of the county's longest serving appointees and top paid officials in Marshall. The outgoing CAO was out of the state Monday for a family emergency and unavailable for comment.

Both appointments suggest Corroon, who defeated Republican Ellis Ivory and independent Merrill Cook in November, is more than willing to give new faces a look.

And, under the mayor-elect's budget tightening, both will make significantly less money than their predecessors. Salaries for each job were listed at $124,632 and would have bumped to $129,000 in 2005. But with Corroon's cuts, Willmore will earn $110,000 and Suzuki-Okabe $97,000.

Other prominent positions, including the county's department heads, are expected to be filled by Corroon by week's end.

djensen@sltrib.com

Karen Suzuki-Okabe, deputy mayor

Age: 56.

Education: Bachelor of arts, Northeastern Illinois University; master's in public administration, Brigham Young University.

Professional experience: Executive director, Utah Department of Human Resource Management, 1993-2003; director of the Utah Anti-Discrimination and Labor Division, April 1992-February 1993; human resources director for Salt Lake City, 1987-1992; Utah Division of Personnel Management director, 1984-1985.

Noteworthy: Adjunct assistant professor of political science, University of Utah, 1992-2000; instructor, Brigham Young University, institute of public management, 1989-1998.

Douglas Willmore, chief administrative officer

Age: 44

Education: Bachelor of science in public administration, George Mason University; master's degree in public administration, University of Utah.

Professional experience: Founding partner of Summit West, mid-1980s-1992; consultant, Willmore & Associates, 1992-present; CEO, Reference Pathology Services, 1999-2003.

Noteworthy: Private-sector development officer for U.S. State Department in Central America, 1986-1989.