John Peyton said he’s “almost envious” of the team Mayor-elect Lenny Curry has assembled.
The latest slate of Curry appointments announced Monday has someone with whom the former two-term mayor is extremely familiar: Kerri Stewart, who will become Curry’s chief of staff.
She served as Peyton’s chief administrative officer, policy adviser and is a former director of Housing and Neighborhoods.
Peyton said Stewart has “demonstrated extraordinary results” throughout her roles in government.
“Having a chief of staff that understands how the government works … has had an ongoing relationship with the legislative branch of government and understands budgets, that’s critical,” said Peyton.
After serving for several months as Mayor Alvin Brown’s CAO, Stewart went to the private sector when she joined Infinity Global Solutions as a senior vice president.
The Jacksonville-based firm specializes in economic development and public-private partnerships.
Back in City Hall with a Curry administration that includes CAO Sam Mousa, Peyton called the collection of talent “the dream team.”
“She will not miss a beat,” he said.
Stewart will make $190,000 in the role. She did not return calls for comment.
Stewart wasn’t the only key personnel move announced Monday. Curry also is relying on two City Council veterans to help him.
He turned to Denise Lee, the outspoken term-limited District 8 representative, to serve as a director of blight initiatives.
Lee has experience in the area, heading a council initiative tackling Jacksonville’s blight issues for more than a year.
She said she will continue that effort in her new role, working with council members and other city departments to benefit neighborhoods across Jacksonville.
“It’s just so, so important to keep this thing going,” she said.
Lee is no stranger to City Hall. The longtime political leader was first appointed to council in 1982 and was re-elected the next year. She served there until 1999, was elected to the Florida House and served until 2003. She returned to council in 2007 and won unopposed in 2011. She’ll make $90,000 in the new role.
Lee will be joined on Curry’s staff by another council veteran, Johnny Gaffney, who will serve as liaison to boards and commissions.
He said he’s “ecstatic” to be joining the Curry administration and continuing his mission of serving people across Jacksonville. The liaison role is one to which Gaffney said he’ll bring experience, having established relationships with most city boards and commissions over his time on council.
Gaffney served District 7 for nearly two terms. In February, he was forced to vacate the seat after an unsuccessful run against Reggie Fullwood for House District 13.
Gaffney publicly supported Curry in the waning days of the election, calling for new leadership in the city.
He’ll make $92,000 in the position.
Lastly, Curry appointed Latanya Peterson as a member of his intergovernmental affairs staff. She’s the state director for African-American Engagement for the Republican National Committee and is a former Duval County Public Schools teacher.
She initially filed to run for council At-Large Group 3 before dropping out.
She will make $75,000.
All four appointees serve on Curry’s transition subcommittees.
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