Date in Office: 1956-1968
M.D Tarshes was appointed by the Sacramento County Board of
Supervisors as the County Executive in January 1956. As County
Executive, Tarshes believed in planning and the general plan and
saw his job as an opportunity to bridge the urban and rural areas
in Sacramento County.
A New York City Native, Tarshes graduated from Columbia
University with a degree in Business Administration.
During his tenure, Tarshes oversaw the beginning planning of the Sacramento International
Airport, where estimated costs were between $13 -15 million and the expansion of the County
library system by adding new branches. Additionally, he authorized the DeWante and Stowell
Master Plan, a plan to increase development by greatly expanding the sewer system.
A big proponent for the development of Regional Parks, Tarshes supported with the acquisition
and development of Discovery Park, Ancil Hoffman and the Ancil Hoffman Golf Course.
Additionally, he oversaw the creation of the American River Parkway and the completion of the
Watt Avenue Bridge. Upon his retirement from County Executive, Sacramento County named
the street going into Ancil Hoffman Park after Tarshes. Tarshes served as County Executive until December 1968.
Prior to serving as the County Executive, Tarshes joined the Selective Service where he became
a finance officer in 1941 and later transferred to the AirCorps where he was discharged in 1946
as a captain. He went on to work in the Veteran’s Office in Washington, D.C. as an
administrative analyst and after a trip to Southern California, Tarshes and his wife decided to
move out west. In 1948 he obtained a job with San Diego County as an Administrative Analyst
and worked his way up to Assistant Chief Administrative Office in 1951. In this position, he
oversaw the consolidation of the San Diego County and city health departments.
Tarshes passed away in December 2017.
