Resume
CV / 2026·03
Bobby D. Cagle, MSW.
A complete record of public-service positions, agency leadership, education, and recognition — beginning as a county-level social worker in 1989, and continuing as principal of an expert-witness practice serving courts nationwide.
At a glance
35+ years of public service.
Director, LA County DCFS.
Twice Gubernatorial Appointee, Georgia. M.S.W., UNC-Chapel Hill.
Experience
01
Jan 2022 — Present
President & CEO
Cagle Consulting, Inc. — Los Angeles, CALead a consulting practice providing customized strategic planning, technical assistance, operational solution development, crisis management, leadership development, and coaching to public, private, and non-profit organizations and communities.
- Specialized expertise: child welfare; human services; early childhood development and education; juvenile and adult corrections; social-equity issues; community engagement; federal, state, and local government advocacy.
- Principal of Cagle Expert Witness Services — expert reports, deposition and trial testimony, and strategic advisory for courts, attorneys, and agencies nationwide.
Dec 2017 — Jan 2022
Director
Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services — Los Angeles, CABoard of Supervisors appointee and Chief Executive Officer of the largest child welfare agency in the United States — 9,300 staff, $3 billion annual budget, county population of 10.3 million.
- Directed all operations including personnel, programs, facilities, fiscal operations, and services for protective services, foster care, adoption, and treatment, in compliance with federal, state, and county law.
- Established Department vision, mission, and program priorities; formulated policy consistent with vision and mission.
- Led integrated child welfare activities across federal, state, and local governments, community-based nonprofits, and advocacy groups.
- Directed decentralized child welfare services through a network of geo-located regional offices and assured uniformity of standards, operations, and decision-making.
- Reported to the Board of Supervisors on operational needs, program plans, and outcomes in safety, well-being, permanence, and self-sufficiency.
- Created the Department's first Public & Media Relations division to ensure prompt, accurate response to inquiries.
- Directed establishment and monitoring of more than 400 performance-based services contracts.
- Established the first Office of Equity in Los Angeles County government (2018) to lead change around race, gender, and sexual orientation/gender identity.
May 2014 — Nov 2017
Director
Georgia Division of Family and Children Services — Atlanta, GAGubernatorial appointee and Chief Executive Officer of the state agency responsible for child welfare and economic services (SNAP, TANF, CDBG) — $1.6B budget, 7,700 employees, state population of 10.2 million.
- Directed all programs in compliance with state and federal law, as prioritized by the Governor and General Assembly.
- Directed development and implementation of administrative rules, policy, and practice guidelines.
- Developed and implemented major new child welfare safety and permanency initiatives.
- Represented the organization in matters of high public and media interest.
Jan 2011 — Jun 2014
Commissioner
Bright from the Start — Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, Atlanta, GAGubernatorial appointee and Chief Executive Officer of the state agency responsible for the child care and early-education needs of Georgia's children — $687M budget, ~400 employees.
- Administered the nationally recognized Georgia's Pre-K Program.
- Designed, implemented, and operated Quality Rated, Georgia's Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System.
- Co-wrote the winning $51.7 million Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant.
- Directed licensing and monitoring of approximately 6,600 center- and home-based child care facilities.
- Directed federal CACFP, Summer Food, CCDF, and MIECHV grants.
- Raised in excess of $18 million from private business and philanthropy to extend agency impact.
Jan 2006 — Jan 2011
Successive leadership roles
Georgia Division of Family and Children Services — Atlanta, GADirector, Legislative & External Affairs · Family Services Director · Program Director II, Office of the Deputy Director for Programs and Policy.
Aug 2004 — Jan 2006
Deputy Director, Youth and Family Services
Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services — Charlotte, NCOct 2001 — Aug 2004
Director
Graham County Department of Social Services — Robbinsville, NCJan 1991 — Feb 2002
Judicial District Manager · Chief Probation/Parole Officer · Probation/Parole Officer
North Carolina Department of Correction — Murphy, NCOct 1989 — Jan 1991
Children's Social Worker
Graham County Department of Social Services — Robbinsville, NCEducation
02
May 1998
Master of Social Work
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — Concentration: Management, Planning & Community PracticeMay 1989
Bachelor of Arts
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — Political Science and SociologyHonors
03
2021
2019
2017
2017
2016 — 17
2015 — 17
2015
2015
2013
2012
2012
2010
1997