FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: : Lauren Hames 407-246-3106

DYER APPOINTS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF,
DIRECTOR OF MANAGEMENT, BUDGET AND ACCOUNTING
AND DIRECTOR OF GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

ORLANDO, Fla. (April 27, 2004) -- Mayor Buddy Dyer Tuesday announced that he has appointed City Clerk and Director of General Administration Jose Fernandez to serve as his chief of staff. Fernandez fills the position held on an interim basis by City Attorney Wayne Rich.

Prior to his appointment as city clerk last March, Fernandez served as president and CEO of the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund (HBIF), an organization that acts as a catalyst for positive community change by contributing to the growth and success of Hispanic-owned businesses.

Fernandez holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin American/Caribbean Studies from Rollins College and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida.

Mayor Dyer has also appointed Deborah Girard to fill the position of Director of Management, Budget and Accounting formerly held by Rob Garner, who recently retired.

Girard, who holds degrees in accounting, finance and management, as well as a Master’s of Business Administration, previously worked for Hillsborough County in the capacities of director of finance and director of accounting. Her background includes seven years service as a State and Local Government Industry Specialist for Price Waterhouse. Girard is also a licensed certified public accountant, as well as a Certified Government Finance Officer. In 2003, she was elected president of the Florida Government Finance Officers Association.

Kevin Edmonds, who currently serves as the City's Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, has been appointed to serve as the Director of General Administration.

A City of Orlando employee since 1989, Edmonds first served in the Orlando Police Department as a planning supervisor and strategic planner, then as an aide to the chief administrative officer for two years, and later as the Solid Waste bureau chief. He has held his current position since March 2000.

In his role as Deputy CAO, Edmonds also served as a business consultant to the Orlando Fire Department, Planning division and, most recently, the Office of Permitting and Code Enforcement.

Dyer also announced Tuesday the expected retirements of Director of Public Works David Metzker and Orlando Centroplex Director Bill Becker. Both will stay in their present positions for the next three months while the City conducts a recruitment search to fill both positions.

A new city clerk will be appointed prior to the Mayor’s inauguration in June. Fernandez, Girard and Edmonds will officially assume their new roles on May 4.
 

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