The St. Augustine City Commission has appointed a new city manager to replace the current one when he retires in just over three weeks
Assistant City Manager David Birchim was unanimously appointed Monday to replace John Regan when Regan retires June 2.
Birchim was selected from three candidates to take the helm of the city’s municipal government, overseeing day-to-day operations and its almost 400 employees. He said he is honored to have been appointed.
“In this role, I will continue to serve the community and ensure that the city of St. Augustine thrives and grows in a sustainable and equitable way, all while preserving history," Birchim said. "I look forward to building on the city’s past successes and working collaboratively with the community to address the challenges ahead.”
Regan said it has been an "honor and a privilege" to serve the city for 24-plus years, 13 of them as city manager.
"I am confident that I leave the city in good hands with David at the helm," Regan said. "It has been a pleasure to work with David for so many years, and I look forward to seeing St. Augustine flourish under his leadership.”
Birchim has 25 years of experience with St. Augustine in professional urban planning and public administration, 20 of those in a supervisory position.
He holds a master's degree in planning from the University of Tennessee. He is accredited by the American Institute of Certified Planners and Florida Public Pension Trustee Association. He was promoted to assistant city manager to oversee special projects such as land development, affordable housing, legislative funding initiatives and the resilient shoreline initiative.
Regan joined the city in 1998 as utilities director, coming from Gainesville. He was promoted to chief operations officer in 2003 and then city manager in 2010. Several major projects were completed during Regan’s tenure, including the Downtown Historic Parking Garage and Avenida Menendez Seawall.
