How long have you been a FCCMA member? Since 2002
Are you an ICMA member and if so, how long? Yes—- 1998
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education. BAS Supervision and Management
What got you interested in public service? Directly out of high school, while attending community college, I was hired as an emergency communications officer for the City of Holly Hill Police Department. Ever since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed the satisfaction I receive from assisting the public be it in the form of delivering ice to those who have endured weeks without power in the aftermath of a serious event to implementing the results of a citizen survey into tangible programs and projects for the betterment of the community I serve and everything in between.
What is your current occupation? Assistant City Manager
Please give a brief job description. This position is responsible for administering special projects such as FDOT/LAP and grants; researching and formulating policies; responding to citizen concerns and complaints, investigating the problems and initiating effective resolution; assisting in the preparation, presentation, monitoring and reviewing of City’s annual budget; supervising Parks and Recreation, Growth Management (to include building inspections, code enforcement and planning zoning) Departments; coordinating City-sponsored special events; monitoring status of on-going contracts by controlling costs, managing risks, issuing change order directives and resolving claims; coordinating and overseeing Streetscape Advisory Committee, Economic Development Advisory Committee and other boards and committees; serves as acting City Manager during City Manager’s absence; reviewing and drafting ordinances, resolutions, agreements, contracts, and other documents; serving as liaison to Sheriff’s Office (contract).
Please describe your typical day. As anyone in this profession knows, there is NO typical day and that is part of the enjoyment I receive serving in this role.
What is your favorite part of the job? I enjoy developing and implementing policy, be it in the form of a personnel policy or drafting a new ordinance that amends the code and makes a process more effective or efficient.
What is your least favorite part of the job? Due to the necessary transparency inherent in the system, “government” tends to be somewhat SLOW from the perspective of development of an idea, project, policy to full implementation.
What is your most memorable experience on the job? There are so many to choose from; however, I would say that playing the role of the Easter Bunny every year for the annual Easter party or dressing as Mrs. Claus in the annual Christmas parade and seeing the wonderment in the eyes of children reenergizes me and enables me to slough off the cynical “coat” that sometimes develops over the course of a career in dealing with the public.
What are hobbies/interests? Gardening, animal welfare/rescue efforts, travel, tennis, golf.
If you could give one piece of advice to young people interested in a career in public service, what would it be? One mustn’t be too sensitive. Even the best manager attempting to do what he/she deems is in the best interest of the public at large will face scrutiny and criticism. Let your heart, conscience and commitment to public management guide you.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other young public administrators? I was fortunate to serve under Bernard J. Murphy, Jr. in my formative years in Ponce Inlet. He was an exceptional mentor in so much as he was a wealth of knowledge, but, also had the personality to allow me to “spread my wings” under his tutelage through direct involvement with council and the public; affording me the opportunity to take an active lead in projects and make decisions that had far-reaching implications. He was quite supportive of my efforts and staff. I have also worked closely with seasoned and professional department heads in both my organization and other agencies who have also exhibited exceptional leadership qualities in one form or another. I would like to think I have incorporated the ones I have deemed suitable and positive into my leadership style throughout the years and discounted the ones I specifically found objectionable or negative.
Have you always been in the public sector or have you had experience in the private sector? While the majority of my professional adult life has been in the public sector, I did serve a short stint in the private sector (2 years).
What career would you pick if you were to pick another? Commissioner of NYPD
