Deegan administration announces executive team
Last month, then-Mayor-elect Donna Deegan announced the 11 members of her administration’s executive team.
The appointments were announced at a press conference at City Hall, June 14, during which Deegan expressed excitement about her team as well as the prospect of working with the incoming city council representatives.
“Nobody gets into this to be a shrinking violet,” she said. “You get into this to make a difference and I’m thrilled to have people on my team that are used to speaking out and are really productive members of this community. I think the same is true of our city council, so I think we’re gonna work well together, I’m excited about it. I have great relationships with a lot of folks on the council, looking forward to building more.”
Below are the 11 members of Deegan’s executive team:
- Chief Administrative Officer: Karen Bowling
- Chief of Staff: Pat McCollough
- Chief Communications Officer: Phil Perry
- Director of Strategic Initiatives and Press Liaison: Melissa Ross
- Chief of Public Safety: Lakesha Burton
- Interim Chief Financial Officer: Mike Weinstein
- Chief Financial Officer: Anna Brosche
- Chief Health Officer: Dr. Sunil Joshi
- Director of Diversity and Inclusion: Parvez Ahmed
- Director of Economic Development: Ed Randolph
- Executive Assistant: Erica Connor
Residents will recognize some of these names. Burton retired as assistant chief after serving with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for more than 20 years. She ran for Jacksonville sheriff in last year’s election cycle for the position.
Ross is an award-winning TV and radio news anchor and reporter. WJCT News listeners will know her as host of the popular daily radio program “First Coast Connect.”
Ross took to Twitter to share news of her appointment, writing, “Thrilled to announce I’ll be joining Mayor-Elect @DonnaDeegan’s administration next month as Director of Strategic Initiatives and Press Liaison. Thanks to @WJCTJax for 14 incredible years — and to all the listeners too. Also: the show must go on — and it will! — with a new host.”
While her administration will officially take office on July 1, Deegan got to work before that. The City of Jacksonville’s website shows meetings scheduled for the end of June for some of Deegan’s committees, including the Military and Veterans, Constituency and Community Outreach, Arts, Culture and Entertainment, Public Safety, Economic Development and Infrastructure committees.
Deegan will be the 45th mayor of Jacksonville. She is the first woman to serve in the role.
By Michele Leivas
Resident Community News
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