Leadership Announced for Planning & Development, Public Works and Employee Services

Continuing his commitment to recruiting and retaining top talent to serve and support the citizens of Jacksonville, Mayor Lenny Curry named three directors to the Public Works, Planning & Development and Employee Services departments.

“Every great organization has one thing in common – a team of qualified and dedicated employees,” said Mayor Lenny Curry. “Each of the individuals I appointed today brings a tremendous amount of experience to City Hall that I’m convinced will strengthen many of our most critical areas. I look forward to great progress over the next few years.”

Municipal Employee of 28 Years to Lead City’s Technology Efforts

Mayor Lenny Curry announced today the appointment of Kenneth Lathrop as division chief of the city’s Information Technologies Division (ITD). Lathrop has more than 28 years of leadership experience with the City of Jacksonville.

The City of Jacksonville Ethics Commission is currently accepting applications for a forthcoming vacancy on the Ethics Commission.  The Ethics Commission will select its new member for a three year term beginning January 2016 following the Commission’s review of all submitted applications and interviews of applicants.  The Ethics Commission is comprised of nine (9) members appointed by either designated City of Jacksonville governmental officials or the Ethics Commission.  The Ethics Commission is responsible for selecting three (3) of the nine (9) Commission members.  The upcoming vacancy is for an appointment by the Ethics Commission.    

Mayor Lenny Curry will join members of the Jacksonville City Council, the Mayor’s Advisory Board on Motion Pictures, Television and Commercial Production, the Jacksonville Film & Television Office and other industry leaders to celebrate highlights in local film and digital media production at the 15th Annual Jacksonville Film Industry Reception. 

Over 7 ½ Tons of Trash Collected in One Morning, Saving Taxpayers Nearly $50,000

The City of Jacksonville’s Keep Jacksonville Beautiful commission reported that the 2015 Florida Coastal Cleanup event, held Saturday, Sept.19, was a huge success in Duval County.  This year’s event yielded more than double the amount of volunteers and trash collected compared to the 2014 cleanup.

Craig “CJ” Thompson has been appointed Director of Intra-Governmental Services for the City of Jacksonville.

In this capacity, Thompson will be responsible for leading the City’s Intra-Governmental Services Department, which includes the Procurement, Fleet Management and Information Technologies divisions, as well as the 630-CITY customer service center, the Grants and Compliance Office, and the Ombudsman Office.

Residents throughout the city are invited to participate in the 2015 Florida Coastal Cleanup event The City of Jacksonville’s Keep Jacksonville Beautiful Commission.  This annual event, which provides volunteers with an opportunity to help beautify the city’s shorelines, is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup (ICC).

Most city government offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.  

Mayor Lenny Curry today accepted the recommendation of the General Counsel Search Committee and appointed Jason R. Gabriel as general counsel for the City of Jacksonville. 

Pursuant to Jacksonville City Charter Article 7, Section 7.03, a search committee headed by former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney advertised, interviewed, and then unanimously recommended Gabriel for the position.

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Mayor Lenny Curry today appointed Jessica Baker as deputy director of Intergovernmental Affairs. 

Baker will join the three-person team, led by Ali Korman Shelton and assisted by Latanya Peterson, tasked with crafting and guiding state and city legislative policy and bills for Mayor Curry’s administration. 

Mayor Appoints Director for Military Affairs and Veterans Department and New Director of Public Affairs

Mayor Lenny Curry today appointed retired U.S. Navy Commander William S. Spann as Director of Military Affairs and Veterans Department and Ms. Marsha Oliver as Director of Public Affairs. 

Ms. Oliver currently serves as Chief of Public Relations and Marketing for the Duval County Public Schools.  Commander Spann currently serves as Mayor Curry’s Director of Public Affairs.

Asks Regional Water Planners to "Look for a Better Solution"

In a letter to officials of the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI), a consortium of five Central Florida counties looking to siphon up to 155 millions of gallons of water daily from the St. Johns River, Mayor Lenny Curry has asked that water withdrawals from the upper and middle basins of the St. Johns River be put on hold until additional work exploring alternative water supply options is completed.

“While we are committed to working with the CFWI to develop a long-term strategy,” Mayor Curry said upon the letter’s release, “we’re asking those involved to look for a better solution in meeting that region's water supply needs.”

Mayor Lenny Curry’s Transition Subcommittees presented their final reports to the administration on Aug. 6 during a presentation at City Hall. The Transition Subcommittees convened individuals with knowledge and expertise from throughout the community to help the new administration address the diverse issues facing Jacksonville. To learn more about the Transition Subcommittees and read their recommendations, visit www.coj.net/transition. 

Mayor Appoints Directors for Office of Economic Development and Fire & Rescue Department

Mayor Lenny Curry today announced key appointments to the Office of Economic Development (OED) and the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department (JFRD). 

Kirk Wendland, current Director of Business Development at the architecture, engineering and construction firm Stellar, will serve as the director of OED.  Wendland has more than 28 years in the Jacksonville market, with previous experience as president of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and director of finance and administration for the Downtown Development Authority.

Kurtis Wilson, an 18-year veteran of JFRD, was appointed as Director and Fire Chief. Wilson is currently the captain of Marine Unit 39 and has previously served as division chief of Operations, Fire Prevention and Administrative Services.