by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
When Delphia Williams, the new acting director of Community Services, was asked to head the department following the resignation of Judy Truitt, she didn’t have to think very long before for giving her answer.
“I was so happy,” said Williams, among the sealed boxes in her new office. “It was just such great feeling to have the mayor recognize my skills and experience and want me to be a part of this team.
“That’s how I look at it. I’m not a boss. I’d prefer to think of myself as a director of people. I’m a team leader.”
Heather Murphy, mayor’s office spokesperson, said the decision to go with Williams was a natural one.
“In the time the mayor has gotten to know her prior to offering this position,” said Murphy, “he was able to see that she has the experience and abilities for forward movement.”
Further cementing Williams as the proper candidate was Truitt’s blessing.
“She’s been very supportive of me,” said Williams. “Before she left, she wished me well and really encouraged me to do the best I could do for the department. She still has a strong love for the programs she help set into motion here and I know she wants to see them do well after she’s gone.”
And to help mold a winning team, Williams said she wants to establish and maintain open lines of communication, which she says can guarantee success.
“Believe it or not, I actually have a hard time talking about myself, but when I agreed to take the job, I had an informal staff meeting and explained that I wanted them to feel comfortable with me and to be honest with me,” she said. “I wanted them to ask questions, to get to know me.
“I believe this department is hitting its stride right now with the programs it provides. But I’m a big believer in team building, so it’s not just me talking to the rest of the staff. My door is always open and I want to learn and get ideas from them, too.”
Williams new job is actually one of three: she also serves as chief of Adult Services and as executive director of the Duval County Council on Elder Affairs.
“I’m really not nervous at all,” she said. “I believe I’ve been preparing for this for a very long time.”
A Tennessee native with a background in nutrition, Williams, came to Florida nearly 30 years ago as graduate student at Florida State University — she arrived with a master’s degree in public health nutrition and bachelor’s degree in food nutrition from Tuskegee University. Before leaving Tallahassee in 1983, Williams had earned her Ph.D in adult education, and she was on her way to getting married.
“My husband is from Jacksonville,” said Williams. “That’s really what brought me here, but I love it because it allows me to continue in my passion for helping others and for volunteering.”
Prior to making the move to City Hall, Williams worked at Florida Community College at Jacksonville, where she helped develop and implement programs and grants, including the General Motors Automotive Service Educational program, the GED on Weekends program and co-led in the restructuring of the Adult Studies and English for Speakers of Other Languages non-credit departments.
Williams additionally earned accolades for her work at the college, picking up an FCCJ Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award and a YMCA of Florida’s First Black Achievers in Business and Industry Award.
But according to the mother of three, it’s not what’s on paper that makes her the right person to lead her new team.
“More than anything I feel a great sense of responsibility to make the programs in this department professional and timely, to make them the best they can be,” she said. “It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly and now that I’m here, I feel invigorated and ready to grow.”