by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Mayor Alvin Brown on Friday introduced his latest group of what he described as Jacksonville’s “best and brightest” who are joining his administration to help take the city to “the next level.”
“I want to thank Dr. Adam Herbert and Mr. Wally Lee for their efforts in helping me to pull together this team,” said Brown, referring to the co-chairs of his personnel transition committee.
“They have worked tirelessly to identify some of the best people to serve in City government during this administration,” he said.
One position not named was the general counsel.
Cindy Laquidara, who served in the role under former Mayor John Peyton, will continue in the position until the end of September.
Brown has not said when he will name the new general counsel. “We have time for that,” he said.
Donald Horner Jr. was introduced as the mayor’s education commissioner. He is currently the director of the Davis Leadership Center, Davis Chair of Leadership and professor of management at Jacksonville University.
Horner holds a Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduate degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University.
“We know that the mayor has no control over the school board or the school superintendent,” said Brown. “But I made a commitment to the voters of our city and I am not going to stand on the sideline when it comes to education. I believe in public education.”
Horner is volunteering his services.
“He’s an executive on loan from Jacksonville University and won’t cost the taxpayers a dime,” said Brown.
Michelle Barth will serve as deputy chief of staff. Prior to the appointment, she served as regional director for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, where she managed and initiated outreach for nine counties in Northeast Florida. She is a graduate of the University of North Florida.
Karen Bowling will serve as deputy chief administrative officer. She currently serves as a member of the JEA board of directors. She was appointed March 23, 2010, for a four-year term.
City Communications Director Abel Harding said Bowling would step down from the JEA board.
Bowling was a co-founder of Solantic walk-in urgent care in June 2001 and has served as CEO since that time. Gov. Rick Scott, who owned the company, recently sold it and Bowling was then named a senior strategic adviser.
“The selection process occurred over the last two weeks and it was very thorough. I went through eight interviews,” said Bowling.
Jessica Deal will serve as the mayor’s City Council liaison. She is familiar with City Hall, having served as an executive assistant to former Council member Daniel Davis, now a state representative.
She also has served as director of government affairs and business advocacy for the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce. She also was a member of the Council’s recent Charter Revision Commission.
Mario Rubio was named the mayor’s state affairs liaison. He is a retired executive with Blue Cross and Blue Shield, where he was responsible for government affairs. He unsuccessfully challenged District 3 Council member Richard Clark in the spring elections.
Rubio and Deal will work with state Sen. Tony Hill, who is responsible for federal relations.
“I want to make sure that all that money we send to Tallahassee comes back to Jacksonville,” said Brown.
Angela Spears will serve as a deputy to the director of communications. Prior to joining the mayor’s staff, Spears served as public information officer for the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department. She also is a former television news anchor.
State Rep. Mia Jones was previously appointed as special assistant to the mayor, but Brown said Friday that in that role she will serve as director for boards and commissions, and also will be focusing on other priorities of the mayor. One of those priorities will be economic development.
356-2466