Pending approval by the Jacksonville City Council, the city will soon have a new long-term head of community planning.
Helena Parola has been selected as chief of the Community Planning Division of the Planning and Development Department.
Parola, who has served as interim chief of the division since mid-June, was chosen for the role after a search, city chief communications officer Phillip Perry said.
She succeeds Kristen Reed, who left the city for a planning position at England-Thims & Miller Inc. after 24 years with the city.
Parola comes into the role with 26 years of experience as a planner for the city.
“She brings to the department a wealth of planning experience that will serve the city exceptionally well now and into the future,” Perry said.