Palm Beach County to Host Public Forum for New Administrator Selection

650 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL, USA - In a significant move for local governance, Palm Beach County is taking steps to fill the soon-to-be-vacant role of county administrator following the retirement of Verdenia Baker, who held the position for nearly a decade. The Board of County Commissioners is actively involved in the recruitment process, which has narrowed down to six finalists from a pool of over 200 applicants. Now, the public has the opportunity to learn more about these candidates at an upcoming forum.

The County Administrator Candidate Forum is set for June 16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, located at 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. This event invites community members to engage directly with candidates, allowing the public to submit questions and listen to what each finalist has to offer. Questions must pertain to all candidates and should be submitted online by June 15 at 11:59 p.m. or in person until 6 p.m. on the day of the forum. While RSVPs are encouraged, they are not mandatory. Those unable to attend can still follow the forum via a live broadcast on PBC TV Channel 20 or stream it online at www.pbc.gov.
[WPTV]

Meet the Finalists

Among the six finalists competing for this critical position with a salary exceeding $450,000 annually, the mix includes both local and out-of-state talent. Four of the candidates are current employees of Palm Beach County, indicating a preference for continuity in leadership, while two candidates hail from outside Florida.

• Patrick Rutter: Serving as the Deputy County Administrator since December 2023, he has been involved in both budget preparation and transportation planning.
• Isami Ayala-Collazo: This candidate brings a unique background as both a chemical engineer and an attorney and currently directs Facilities Development & Operations, overseeing major construction projects.
• Joseph Abruzzo: As the County Clerk for nearly five years, he manages $6 billion in public assets and has previous experience in the Florida legislature.
• Keith Clinkscales: In his role as Director of strategic planning and performance management, he draws on a solid background in management consulting.
• Eric Johnson: Currently the city manager of Norcross, Georgia, he has a rich history of leadership roles, including county manager positions in Forsyth County and assistant county administrator in Hillsborough County, Florida.
• Cornell Wesley: Leading the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity in Birmingham, Alabama, Wesley has significant experience in economic development, including for the U.S. Commerce Department.

[Palm Beach Post]

Next Steps in the Selection Process

The process for selecting the new administrator is set to culminate with a public meeting on June 17, where the commission is expected to make a final decision. Before that, on June 12, the commissioners will conduct interviews with the finalists, giving them a closer look at the candidates before they meet the public.

The selection approach has been notably direct, with a seven-person task force spearheading the effort without compensation for their time. This task force thoroughly reviewed nearly 100 resumes and eliminated more than half of the applicants for not meeting minimum qualifications. The commission voted 4-3 against employing a national search firm for the recruitment, indicating a desire to keep the focus within local expertise.

As the June 16 forum approaches, the community stands at an exciting crossroads, eager to see who will lead Palm Beach County into its next chapter. It’s not just about filling a role; it’s about finding the right fit for a vibrant community.