Paul Martinez, president and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, has withdrawn his name from consideration for the JEA board, he confirmed to the Daily Record in a Feb. 19 text message.
Martinez’s appointment to the board came under scrutiny after reporting from Action News Jax’s Ben Becker showed Council President Kevin Carrico texted Arthur Adams, who Martinez would have replaced on the board, that Martinez was nominated as a “big favor.”
“I owed a big favor to a freind and opted to put him on the JEA board as your term is expiring,” Carrico’s text read. “Not sure if you wanted to stay but I needed to do this for my guy.”
Carrico, who works under Martinez as the vice president for strategic initiatives at the Boys and Girls Clubs, appointed Martinez under Council Resolution 2026-0119. Under the city charter, appointments to the board are subject to confirmation by the full Council.
“After thoughtful consideration, I have decided not to pursue appointment to the JEA Board, as my priority remains the strength and stability of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida,” Martinez wrote in the text. “While I am disappointed that I will not be able to serve the City of Jacksonville in this additional capacity, I remain fully committed to leading this organization with integrity and focus.”
“I respect Paul Martinez’s decision and thank him for his decades of service to Jacksonville,” Carrico wrote in a text to the Daily Record. “It’s unfortunate that political noise and unfair attacks sought to distract from a lifetime of service, but our community continues to benefit from his leadership and committment.”
Carrico wrote that he would ask for a withdrawal of Martinez’s appointment legislation at the Council’s Feb. 24 meeting.
With Martinez’s withdrawal, Adams is set to remain on the city-owned utility’s board. In a text to Carrico reported by Action News Jax, Adams wrote that he wished to stay on for a full term.
Adams was appointed by then-Council President Randy White to a partial term in 2024, due to conclude on Feb. 28.
Martinez was appointed for a full term, set to end in February 2030.