- April 26, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
The city government has hired a former Palm Coast city councilman — Jason DeLorenzo, who was elected in 2011 and served until 2016 — as its chief development officer. That's a new position. DeLorenzo was formerly the government affairs director for the Flagler Homebuilders Association.
DeLorenzo "will be tasked with rebranding our building and permitting services, along with reworking our processes and our approach to engaging citizens and customers," according to a Palm Coast government news release.
“Jason not only brings the skills and ability to guide us through the challenges of today, but the vision and positive attitude to help us close the gaps of tomorrow," City Manager Matthew Morton said in the news release.
Ray Tyner, the city's planning manager and a 17-year employee of the city government, is being assigned to the new position of deputy chief development officer.
"Ray has made great contributions to the city and is ready for the new challenge of an expanded role that is both tactically focused and aligns with his passion for organizational improvement and public service,” Morton said in the news release. “I believe this leadership team will help move the Community Development Department to next level and help our customers see us truly as partners.”
The city of Palm Coast has also hired a new chief innovation officer: Donald Kewley, the operations manager for the city of Ashland, Oregon and former Pacific Gas and Electric senior project manager who applied for the city's city manager position last year.
Kewley was hired by Morton, who beat him in the application for the city manager position. But multiple city council members, after Morton's hiring, had stated that they would be interested in bringing on Kewley in some capacity as well. The chief innovation officer position is a new one, so Kewley is not displacing any current city staff members.
The hirings comes amid a series of departures at the city's director and manager levels.
Four city directors or managers have resigned in recent weeks: Information Technology Director Chuck Burkhart, Parks and Recreation Director Alex Boyer, Human Resources Director Wendy Cullen and Communications and Marketing Manager Cindi Lane. (In addition, city Public Works Manager Renee Shevlin recently retired.)
Most resigned without submitting a formal resignation letter. Lane wrote one and addressed it to Beau Falgout, who had been the interim city manager before Morton was hired, and who'd been assistant city manager under former city manager Jim Landon.
Morton has promoted city employee Doug Akins to the IT director position and Debbie Streichsbier to the HR director position, and appointed Lauren Johnston as interim director of Parks and Recreation and Jason Giraulo as interim Communications and Marketing manager.
Morton addressed the changes in a draft "60 Day Report to Council."
The report contains a section listing activities/accomplishments in organizational structure, including the following:
"Evaluating Roles – Roles Must Serve the City- I have been looking at leadership roles to ensure the roles are serving the city and not the individual. This is always a good, albeit difficult process, but I believe my objectivity coming in the door with a fresh perspective and without long standing relationships aides in a systematic, clear and productive result."
Of the new CDO position, Morton wrote, "The Chief Development Officer position is being recruited (formerly the Community Development Director). The name was changed to reflect a new core-cultural philosophy and encourage non-traditional candidates to apply. In general I like to hire for character and train for skill, especially in business areas where our technical competence and regulatory frameworks are strong."
