Mayor-elect Donna Deegan has selected 13 people — including former city officials and leaders of her campaign — to direct her administration when she takes office July. 1.
Deegan called them an exciting team of leaders from across the political spectrum — people who have spent their careers "solving problems, thinking outside the box and engaging the public."
They are:
- Erica Connor, executive assistant. She is a former practicing attorney, law school counselor and legal recruiter.
- Pat McCollough, chief of staff. A transition adviser and Deegan’s campaign manager, she is a retired U.S. Marine sergeant major.
- Anna Brosche, chief financial officer. The Relationship Partner at BDO Alliance, she previously served as Jacksonville City Council president and was a candidate for mayor.
- Mike Weinstein, interim chief financial officer. He is CEO of Kids Hope Alliance and was chief financial officer for multiple past mayors.
- Karen Bowling, chief administrative officer. She is director of entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of North Florida. She previously served as the city's chief administrative officer.
- Phil Perry, chief communications officer. He is a transition adviser and led communications for Deegan’s campaign.
- Melissa Ross, director of strategic initiatives and liaison to the press. She was the host of WJCT's “First Coast Connect” and co-host of “The Florida Roundup” until Wednesday's announcement.
- Lakesha Burton, chief of public safety, a new position. A candidate for Jacksonville sheriff last year, she served for 24 years in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, rising to the rank of assistant chief. Deegan said Burton will help the mayor's office interact with the Sheriff's Office.
- Sunil Joshi, chief health officer. He is an allergist and immunologist who has previously served as president of the Duval County Medical Society.
- Parvez Ahmed, director of diversity and inclusion. A professor of finance at the University of North Florida, he is also a two-term member of the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission.
- Ed Randolph, director of economic development. He is the director of economic development for JEA and previously served as Jacksonville’s director of business development.
- Jason Gabriel, a former Jacksonville general counsel who will serve as chair of the Qualification Review Committee as it evaluates new general counsel candidates.
- Bob Rhodes, interim general counsel, effective July 1.
In making the announcement Wednesday at City Hall, Deegan also reiterated her priorities.
"Infrastructure is a big piece for me. I'm going to be looking at opportunities to spend more on infrastructure. And as I've said, I'm going to try to find some federal grants on that front," Deegan said. "But at the end of the day, infrastructure, health, economic development are the three big rocks for me. ... Obviously, we have a large public safety budget, which is very important. And so we will look to make our mark on that budget."
One of Deegan's biggest tasks will be negotiations around the proposed $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion renovation of TIAA Bank Field — a process that will put Weinstein in the focus. Deegan said he will serve as the city’s interim chief financial officer through October and will help on the Jaguar's negotiations.
“He's going to be basically director of a lot of big rocks for us right now," Deegan said. "He's helping us to put together some ideas in terms of the stadium that I'm sure all of you are going to want to ask me about here coming up. So very, very excited to have Mike on the team as well.”
The appointments followed Deegan's announcement of transition leaders over the last month. Just before Memorial Day, she picked six people to lead her transition: Burton, former Mayor John Delaney, Operation New Hope founder Kevin Gay, former Jacksonville Sheriff Nat Glover, Brightway Insurance co-founder/executive chairman David Miller, and Florida Blue North Florida market president Darnell Smith.
Shortly later, Deegan announced individual teams that will review the opportunities and challenges facing Jacksonville in specific areas.
A number of events have been scheduled in the next few weeks, including Deegan's Inaugural Prayer Breakfast at 9 a.m. June 30 at the Garden Club of Jacksonville on Riverside Avenue. It is a ticketed event.
The next day, Deegan’s swearing-in ceremony will be open to the public at 11:30 a.m. at Jacoby Symphony Hall. Then the Mayor’s inaugural ball, also a ticketed event, is set for 7 p.m. July 1 at The River Club.
