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Wanamaker in negotiations to be Clay’s next County Manager

By Nick Blank Staff Writer
Posted 5/22/19

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County officials have started negotiations for its next county manager, former NAS-Jacksonville Commanding Officer and automotive executive Howard Wanamaker.

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Wanamaker in negotiations to be Clay’s next County Manager


Posted

GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County officials have started negotiations for its next county manager, former NAS-Jacksonville Commanding Officer and automotive executive Howard Wanamaker.

After interviews with four candidates, commissioners voted 3-2 for Wanamaker over former Flagler County Administrator Craig Coffey when the field was narrowed from four to two. Commissioners Gavin Rollins, Gayward Hendry and Diane Hutchings voted for Wanamaker.

Commissioners Mike Cella and Wayne Bolla opted for Coffey, but both stated there was no wrong choice.

Stephanie Kopelousos left the county manager position to become Gov. Ron DeSantis’ director of legislative affairs in December. Fire Chief Lorin Mock has served as interim county manager.

In addition to Wanamaker and Coffey, commissioners interviewed former Hernando County Administrator Leonard Sossaman and Camden County, Ga. Administrator Steve Howard.

Commissioners cited Wanamaker’s public and private experience as the right mix to handle Clay’s day-to-day governmental operations, and residential and commercial growth. Hendry said Wanamaker’s passion for the county was a boost.

Wanamaker spent the last three years of his 26-year military career as NAS Jacksonville’s commanding officer. From 2011-13, he led NATO’s Human Factors and Cognitive Science Section in the Technology and Human Factors Branch.

Wanamaker serves on boards for the YMCA, the Habitat for Humanity and the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. Since 2016, he’s been the chief strategy officer and human resources director for Hanania Automotive.

He described his position at NAS JAX as comparable with the county manager job. Wanamaker said his management style was akin to a battle rhythm. Constant communication with multiple team members led to the most effective decision-making, he said.

“You have to think, ‘What does this project affect down the road?’ Wanamaker said. “You’ve got to manage smart.”

Hendry asked Wanamaker why he wanted to leave the fixed parameters of the automotive industry for the rigors of local government.

“There’s a lot of unknown factors, why would you do this?” Hendry asked.

“There’s something about Clay County that pulls me here,” Wanamaker said. “I want to give back to the community.”

Coffey had been at the helm in Flagler County for 12 years before he resigned in January. He told commissioners about the turnaround of the Flagler Airport with $35 million of infrastructure improvements. Coffey was previously the county administrator in DeSoto County for two years.

“I generally get things done,” Coffey said. “I don’t let dust settle.”

Prior to the vote between the top-two, Bolla said he was concerned that Wanamaker, who had never worked for a county or a city, wouldn’t have a lot of time to learn the job. Cella called the decision, “Very tough.

“It would be nice to have somebody who has gone through those things and respond immediately.”

After the vote, Cella was selected by commissioners to kickstart Wanamaker’s contract negotiation process with County Attorney Courtney Grimm.