Just two weeks into Mayor John Peyton’s tenure, Chief Operating Officer Sam Mousa said Thursday that he was resigning from Peyton’s executive staff.
Mousa said he would leave at the end of July for opportunities in the private sector. He will continue his role in Peyton’s preparations for his Tuesday budget address to the City Council.
Before Peyton took office, Mousa met with nearly every City department, reviewing their budget requests and making recommendations for funding.
In the past three weeks, Mousa has outlined departmental operations for Peyton’s transition team.
Mousa left the private sector in 1987 to work for the City as an engineer. He has served former mayors Tommy Hazouri, Ed Austin and John Delaney. Under Delaney, Mousa managed all City operations, oversaw 10 executive City departments and was responsible for the $2.25 billion Better Jacksonville Plan.
Peyton asked Mousa to join his staff in May. Mousa said he would still be available to the City on a consulting basis.
— by Brad Parsons