Kurt Wilson has been removed as JEA’s chief of staff, a JEA spokesperson confirmed to the Daily Record on Feb. 20. In a message to JEA’s staff, CEO Vickie Cavey told staff members that she had eliminated the chief of staff position.
Wilson began his role as chief of staff, a new position at JEA, in May 2024. He previously worked as the vice president of government and community relations for four years.
Before his work with JEA, Wilson served in the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department for 25 years, retiring as chief.
Wilson did not respond to a text message and a call on Feb. 20.
At a Feb. 20 press conference, Cavey said she declined to publicly comment on any personnel matters. A JEA spokesperson did not respond to questions about Wilson’s removal before publication.
Wilson’s departure came amid increased scrutiny surrounding JEA. City Council President Kevin Carrico commented he had heard “allegations of racism, toxic corporate culture, and other leadership challenges associated with the CEO” from JEA employees.
“I am currently having conversations with community leaders interested in addressing these challenges and moving our utility forward,” Carrico wrote in a statement. “I look forward to announcing a name in the coming days given then disturbing culture observed at our utility.”
Carrico received criticism in prior days after nominating Paul Martinez, his superior at Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, to the JEA board. Martinez is the president and CEO at Boys and Girls Clubs, Carrico works as vice president of strategic initiatives.
After Action News Jax reported that texts between JEA board member Arthur Adams and Carrico showed Carrico made Martinez’s nomination as a “big favor” to a friend, Martinez withdrew his name from consideration.