by Bradley Parsons
Staff Writer
The office of second-in-command of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission will change hands Monday. Jeanne Miller is moving out. Paul Crawford is moving in.
Miller is leaving to become of counsel for Florida Community College at Jacksonville after two years with the JEDC. Crawford takes her place after filling various jobs for the City.
Since Mayor John Peyton hired him as City Council liaison in March 2004, Crawford has been the mayor’s office version of a utility infielder, performing well in a variety of roles.
During two years working for the mayor, Crawford has served as City Council liaison, policy director and interim director of the parks department. He’s assisted with the City’s state and federal lobbying and, prior to joining the mayor’s office, he served the Planning Department as chief of strategic planning.
Now settled as the JEDC’s second-in-command, Crawford’s diverse experience will serve him well, said Miller.
“Paul has a great combination of skills and knowledge of the City processes,” said Miller. “It’s a good fit for the job.”
With first-hand knowledge of several City departments as well as the private sector, Crawford said he knows how to navigate bureaucracy to get policy moving.
“I think I have some insight into how to maneuver through the system to get things accomplished,” said Crawford.
Crawford said his early priorities will include moving forward the JEDC’s initiatives for Downtown housing and retail development and managing the commission’s staff structure. But he said he’s entering the job with his eyes and ears open.
“I’m not coming into this job thinking I have nothing to learn,” said Crawford. “One of the exciting aspects of the job is the opportunity to develop skills on the economic development and business recruitment side.”
Crawford said the chance to learn from JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton was “a huge factor” in his decision to take the job. He’s looking forward to having Barton as a mentor, he said.
Working with Barton was a highlight in two years filled with challenges for Miller. She advanced rapidly to second-in-command of the JEDC, becoming deputy director in November 2004, less than a year after joining the commission as director of business development.
But her temporary rise to the No. 1 job was even quicker. Within weeks of Miller assuming the deputy director’s role, then-executive director Kirk Wendland resigned. Miller took over and guided the JEDC through its most tumultuous times.
Miller oversaw what was essentially a complete overhaul of the JEDC. She led the effort to develop and implement new staff structures and tougher incentive policies mandated by Peyton.
Miller performed her professional duties in the face of personal and health challenges. Despite the trying times, she said it was important to her to finish what she started at the JEDC.
“Quitting is never an option,” she said.
During her last meeting as deputy director Friday, both Barton and Commission Chairman Ceree Harden said Miller was the driving force behind the JEDC’s reformation. Separately, both commented that they “wouldn’t have made it through,” the process without her.