by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
Mayor-elect John Peyton announced Thursday the five members of his executive staff, saying they will work together to bring to City Hall the business practices that shaped Peyton’s private success.
Peyton named JEA managing director Walt Bussells chief financial officer; Peyton campaign treasurer and transition team chairman Scott Teagle chief of staff; Rogers, Towers attorney Steven Diebenow chief of policy and government affairs; and Westside Church of Christ minister Pete Jackson chief community officer. They will join current Chief Administrative Officer Sam Mousa, who in May accepted Peyton’s offer to become chief operating officer. Peyton tabbed Ch. 4 reporter Heather Murphy to be his press secretary.
Peyton called the group, “the greatest talent Jacksonville has to offer, with a rare combination of public and private experience.” He said during the campaign he would streamline City Hall to run with private-enterprise efficiency.
He would not comment on whether he will cut City Hall staff. However, Peyton said his staff would be restructured to cost the City less money
Peyton said Jackson and Diebenow will leave their private careers, but Bussells will keep working full-time for JEA, serving Peyton on a part-time, volunteer basis. Bussells’ work for Peyton will not draw a public salary.
“Walt’s been working 80-to-90 hours a week between the JEA and the transition team,” said Peyton, who chose Bussells to co-chair his transition team and research the City’s finances. “He will continue to do a great job for both the JEA and the City.”
Peyton said Bussells’ duel positions would not pose a conflict of interest when the JEA decides its yearly contribution to the City. Peyton said the JEA’s board of directors would decide the contribution independent of Bussells. He said it was “too soon to tell” whether the City would seek a larger contribution this year.
Like Bussells, the executive staff members announced Thursday all worked for Peyton’s campaign or transition team. Peyton said he “looked far and wide” for qualified candidates, and considered campaign outsiders.
He said dozens of department head and division chief openings would be filled following recommendations from transition team subcommittees. Each committee is charged with making structural, organizational and personnel recommendations for their respective department. The committees were told in early June to make their recommendations within 60-to-90 days.
When he takes office July 1, Peyton said he will name an interim fire chief to replace Ray Alfred.