FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Brie Turek (407) 246-3106
Laura Bornfreund (407) 246-3423

MAYOR APPOINTS CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Byron Brooks, Veteran Public Sector Administrator Promoted to Guide City Initiatives and Priorities

ORLANDO, FL (November 14, 2005) – Today, Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the appointment of Byron Brooks as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the City of Orlando.

“With 20 years of professional experience in the public sector, Byron brings extensive knowledge of all aspects of local government operations including growth management, economic development, transportation and public safety,” said Mayor Dyer.

Prior to this appointment, Byron served as the City’s Interim Chief Administrative Officer, assisting the Mayor in the oversight, guidance and management of the day-to-day operations of the largest municipality in the Central Florida region.

As CAO, Byron will continue to plan, organize and coordinate various activities with department directors and staff, working with City Council on policy implementation, and assist in the implementation of the Mayor’s strategic initiatives and priorities.

In his new role, Byron will direct staff to ensure the Mayor’s vision and goals for the City is in-line with the citizens, Commissioners and City partners. He will coordinate with the Mayor’s Chief of Staff, Cheryl Henry to identify emerging issues of importance to the City and its citizens, and advising the Mayor and Council on ways to address them.

“I am excited about this opportunity to work directly with Mayor Dyer and City Council as they continue to advance the City of Orlando and meet the needs of our citizens,” said Byron Brooks. “I believe the combination of my experience, local knowledge, work ethic and commitment will play a key role in moving Mayor Dyer’s vision forward.”

Prior to being appointed as Interim CAO, Byron served as Director of the Families, Parks and Recreation department for the City of Orlando where he was responsible for the management of the recreational and leisure services for youth through seniors, more than 100-parks and neighborhood and community centers, Leu Gardens – a nationally recognized botanical garden, the City’s public art program and the Menello museum.

In addition to serving as President of Brooks Consulting Services, where he provided services in land use, transportation and infrastructure planning, organizational assessments and management studies, Byron gained valuable experience as Chief Executive Officer of the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (LYNX). There, Byron provided day-to-day leadership and oversight of the agency, where he increased bus service while reducing per unit cost through aggressive efficiency initiatives.

Byron’s in-depth public sector background grew with Orange County Government, where from 1986 – 2000, he served in a variety of senior level administrative positions. Most recently, as Deputy County Administrator, Byron was responsible for the oversight of Growth Management, Public Works, Utilities, and Parks and Recreation. He ensured the accomplishment of policy directives and projects approved by the County Mayor and County Commission. Byron provided strategic guidance, leadership and issue resolution for key activities and issues such as affordable housing programs and pre-planning of transportation infrastructure for the Convention Center.

Recently, Mayor Dyer also announced the appointment of Rebecca Sutton as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the City of Orlando. Rebecca Sutton, the State’s second-ranking financial official, will join Mayor Dyer’s administration to direct the activities of the Finance department for the City.

She has served as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer reporting to the State of Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher for the past three years with more than 300 staff members and a budget of more than $60 million. There, she directed the Florida Statewide accounting and auditing operation and the Florida Treasury operation, which included banking cash management, revenue receipt confirmation and collateral management.

“Her extensive financial management background and vast knowledge of the public sector make Rebecca a great asset and highly-qualified to administer and oversee the City’s finance functions,” said Dyer.
 

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