by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
In federal government, it’s said that the vice president of the United States is “a heartbeat away” from the president.
The person who is a “heartbeat away” from the City of Jacksonville’s chief executive is the chief of staff, evidenced by Adam Hollingsworth’s constantly-buzzing wireless hand-held device and the door in his office that leads directly to Mayor John Peyton’s desk.
“My primary responsibility is to manage the mayor’s agenda and lead the team in the strategies necessary to achieve the mayor’s public policy objectives,” said Hollingsworth. “The key is communication with the mayor’s staff, department heads and the rank and file City employees.”
He’s also responsible for making sure the mayor’s time is used efficiently and all staff members are attentive to their responsibilities. That being said, Hollingsworth is quick to point out his perspective on his position in City government.
“In the big scheme, I have a minor role,” he said. “The community turns to the mayor and the City Council. They are the ones who were chosen by the people. It’s the elected officials who have been entrusted with governance by the community.”
Communication and administration are two skills Hollingsworth has honed his entire career. The Jacksonville native took his public relations degree from the University of Alabama to Capitol Hill and a job with U.S. Rep. Charles Bennett. That’s who Hollingsworth credits with his philosophy about working in the public sector.
“Congressman Bennett taught me his view of government and what government is supposed to do. One Saturday a month, he would be in his Jacksonville office at 8 a.m. and he would be there meeting his constituents until the last person left,” said Hollingsworth. “He would also go to post offices and set up a card table. He’d talk to anyone who needed his help on any issue.
“Sitting with him taught me government service is about helping people. I learned to get tremendous gratification from seeing individuals succeed whether it was a military widow finally getting her benefits or a student getting an appointment to a service academy.”
Hollingsworth also worked in U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown’s office before he returned to Jacksonville to work for former Mayor Ed Austin. He then moved to the private sector and CSX, first as a lobbyist and later as the director of corporate communications and public affairs.
He said having worked in both government and the corporate world, he can see similarities and differences in terms of how the system and the people in those systems work.
“Both are big bureaucracies that are a challenge to move through,” said Hollingsworth. “In government it’s all about transparency. We live in a fish bowl, but I think there is a general lack of public interest in corporate structures.
“In some cases having everything so visible in government can make the work a little more inefficient. Sometimes the public may see that as moving slowly but it’s actually a safeguard for the public interest. At CSX if I wanted to hire a consultant I could make the decision and execute a contract in the same business day. It’s not like that in government.”
When Peyton was elected mayor, Hollingsworth was eager for the chance to get back to public service in the new administration.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to work for John Peyton. He wants to make a difference in our town and do the right things,” said Hollingsworth, who added, “Every mayor since Haydon Burns has governed a different city. Even compared to just 10 years ago, Jacksonville is bigger and faster and has greater needs. You can feel that in the internal pace of government.”
Each of the City’s chief executives has also left a clear legacy that people remember about his time in office.
“After Mayor (Hans) Tanzler there was no sewage in the river. Jake Godbold brought an enthusiasm to government and got the campaign to get the NFL rolling,” he explained. “Mayor (Tommy) Hazouri got rid of the toll booths and the paper mill odor. Mayor (Ed) Austin had River City Renaissance that led to this building (City Hall) and the performing arts center. Of course, Mayor (John) Delaney is remembered for the Better Jacksonville Plan.
“It’s exciting to be part of the Peyton administration, part of the team that will help determine what John Peyton is remembered for. I’m confident he’ll be remembered for making Jacksonville a safer place to live, protecting the St. Johns River and developing economic opportunity.”
When asked what he’d like to be his legacy, Hollingsworth said that’s not what his government career is about.
“I really don’t have much interest in being remembered,” he said, “other than that I worked hard, treated people with respect and did my best every day. A lot of staffers have come and gone in City government — thousands in the last 40 years – and I’d say less than five staff people in consolidated government have left anything like a legacy. That work is done by those who were elected by the people.”
For the first 35 years of his life, Hollingsworth admits work was his top priority. Four years ago he left bachelorhood behind and is now the father of a 9-month-old son.
“My wife Amy and I cherish that little boy,” said Hollingsworth, who added parenthood has given him a new perspective on life and his career.
“It has taken a fundamental shift to balance work and family. I treasure every minute with my family. I’ve discovered fatherhood is as good as it gets and much better than people told me it would be.”
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