By Kurt Bressner, ICMA-CM, Senior Advisor Coordinator
Over the past 12 months there have been substantial changes to the Florida Senior Advisor Program. First, we are no longer called Range Riders, a name associated with the program for nearly 40 years. The national program at ICMA changed the name in 2014. Senior Advisors are retired city and county managers or assistant managers with lengthy experience and who are respected within the public management field. The FCCMA Board of Directors and the Executive Director of the International City/ County Management Association (ICMA) jointly appoint Senior Advisors.
Recently, three new Senior Advisors were appointed by the FCCMA Board and confirmed by ICMA:
Robert (Bob) LaSala, Dunedin, FL
Oel Wingo, Reddick, FL
Craig Hunter, St. Petersburg, FL
Following the retirement of Peter Lombardi in April, the remaining Senior Advisors are:
Kurt Bressner, Vero Beach, FL
Mark Durbin, Kissimmee, FL
Dick Williams, Sarasota, FL
Dick Kelton, DeLand, FL
Samuel Halter, Tampa, FL Emeritus
Robert LaSala has served 18 years as a City/County Manager or Administrator in 4 cities or counties. His Florida experience was as County Administrator of Pinellas County (6 years) and City Manager of Boca Raton (2 years). Bob also has 10 years experience as a City Manager of two cities in California. Bob has a wealth of professional experience in Florida and other states and experience on non-profit boards that will contribute much to the Senior Advisor Program.
Oel Wingo served as Assistant City Manager in Palm Coast (9 years) and Assistant City Manager in Ocala (5 years). Oel also has tenure as City Manager in Holly Hill, FL (1 year). Oel also has extensive non-profit and education experience, all contribute to making the Florida Senior Advisor Program valuable to FCCMA members.
Craig Hunter was County Administrator of Citrus County (6 years) and City Manager of Deerfield Beach (2 years). His ACM experience was Deerfield Beach (2 years) and Treasure Island (1 year). Craig has provided volunteer assistance to the Senior Advisor Program during the past year with resume review and individual follow-up calls with MITs. Craig also has private sector experience in financial services that adds depth to his local government career and contributes to the Senior Advisor Program.
All three individuals bring tremendous experience and credibility to the Senior Advisor Program.
Welcome, Bob, Oel and Craig. Thanks to Mark, Dick, Sam and Dick for continued service to the Senior Advisor Program. Finally, thank you Peter for your service as a Senior Advisor.
A recap of the Senior Advisor Program:
As volunteers, Senior Advisors provide, at no cost to FCCMA members:
- Career and employment counsel to members;
- Guidance and counsel to members regarding ethics questions or concerns;
- Assistance to cities and counties with the managerial form of government;
- Assistance to cities and counties that are considering adopting the managerial form of government;
- Assistance to civic groups regarding the managerial form of government; and
- Assistance to members-in-transition (MITs) with guidance and direction as they seek new opportunities in public administration.
Senior Advisors are not “consultants,” but serve as colleagues and counselors.
We also work with cities and counties to find interim staff from MIT.
For information about the Senior Advisor Program at FCCMA please see:
https://fccma.org/senior-advisors/
