Obituary: Frank Zolin led L.A. courts, then DMV

Frank S. Zolin, a former director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, died Aug. 21 of cancer, his family said. He was 79.

Appointed by Gov. Pete Wilson, Mr. Zolin moved to Sacramento in 1991 to lead the DMV after overseeing the Los Angeles Superior Court system. He implemented customer service improvements and pulled the plug on a costly project to develop a DMV computer system that was approved before he took office.

He resigned in 1995 over policy differences with Wilson administration officials, saying that planned budget cutbacks would result in slower service and longer lines at DMV offices.

He was appointed by Wilson to be executive director of the state Board of Control and retired in 1997.

A Fair Oaks resident, Mr. Zolin served on on the board of the Legal Center for the Elderly and Disabled in Sacramento and on a local committee overseeing law enforcement grants for the federal Department of Homeland Security. He was an advisory board member for the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy program in Sacramento.

Born Nov. 18, 1932, in Chicago, he moved at an early age with his family to the Los Angeles area. He graduated from Hollywood High School, attended Los Angeles City College and served in the Army. He earned a bachelor's degree with honors in political science at California State University, Los Angeles.

Before moving to Sacramento, Mr. Zolin spent 15 years as executive officer and jury commissioner of Los Angeles Superior Court. He also served as Los Angeles County clerk and held top county administrative positions.

Previously divorced, he was married since 2000 to Jan Hall Zolin, a former Long Beach City Council member.

Besides his wife, he survived by three stepdaughters, Jill Erps of Tulsa, Okla., Jody Lewis of Rocklin, and Jaclyn Hesson of Westerville, Ohio; a stepson, Jeff Hall of Long Beach; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Grand, 4101 E. Willow St., Long Beach.

In lieu of flowers, donations for a planned Frank Zolin Memorial may be sent to USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, attn: Brent Watson, 1150 S. Olive St., Suite 1500, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

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