JEA’s executive leadership team and board of directors have turned over since Jan. 1, as the city-owned utility copes with federal and city investigations into last year’s failed attempt to privatize.
The latest JEA board, confirmed April 14, hired former JEA CEO Paul McElroy to return for a six-month transition after the former board voted Jan. 28 to fire CEO Aaron Zahn for cause.
The last JEA board submitted to Mayor Lenny Curry its intent to resign en masse Jan. 28. Board member Kelly Flanagan’s term expired in February.
The city has since filed a six-count lawsuit in the 4th Judicial Circuit Court in Duval County against Zahn, seeking damages for alleged fraud; breach of fiduciary duty; breach of the public trust; and fraudulent inducement.
One of McElroy’s first actions was to remove and replace the remaining 10 members of Zahn’s senior leadership team, including Chief Operating Officer Melissa Dykes and Chief Administrative Officer Herschel Vinyard.
JEA is cooperating with a federal grand jury investigation into issues linked to the utility’s failed August 2019 invitation to negotiate a sale.
Federal investigators have subpoenaed JEA and the Curry administration for records and interviewed at least one of the mayor’s associates, former city Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa.
A Council investigation into the ITN and a proposed employee bonus plan could conclude by Sept. 30.