St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry is likely stepping down to take a job on Florida’s west coast — a job he may get from the recommendation of his predecessor here.
Landry, who was appointed county administrator in 2023, likely will be named town manager for the town of Longboat Key, according to the Town Commission’s June 22 agenda. If his proposed contract is approved, Landry’s start date is expected to be Sept. 14.
Landry notified county department heads late Wednesday, June 17, of his impending departure, said county spokesperson Erick Gill. He also has told county commissioners he likely will be leaving in mid-August, Gill said.
Landry was unavailable for comment. If the Town Commission approves his contract, he will be paid $255,000 annually, a slight decrease from the $275,000 he currently makes, said the current Town Manager Howard Tipton — who preceded Landry as St. Lucie County administrator before leaving for the Longboat Key job on Sept. 30, 2023, and who recommended him for the job.
“There’s a small list of people who have coastal experience, utilities experience, emergency management experience, and who are willing to uproot their career and move for it,” Tipton said June 19. “It came down to George having the skills that we were looking for and the fit, the temperament and then also be willing to relocate.”
Tipton had worked with Landry before, including in the Emergency Operations Center where Landry was Tipton’s “right-hand man”, he said.
“I had a chance to see him grow in his career. He’s just an amazing individual,” Tipton said. “I’ve seen him in action, firsthand, and he’s perfect for what we need over here.”
Landry has worked for St. Lucie County since 2013. He previously was the Public Utilities and Solid Waste director and the former Human Resources and Risk manager. He retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years, earning two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from Columbia Southern University in Alabama.
Tipton, who notified his town commissioners in April he would be retiring from Longboat Key because of health concerns, told TCPalm he offered the town commissioners to help with a search or find his replacement, as had been done in the past. The commission asked him to find a replacement.
After looking at potential local candidates on the west coast, Tipton turned to Landry, with whom he has met almost monthly with for breakfast since leaving St. Lucie County “just to catch up and see how he’s doing.”
After Tipton told him about his plans, Landry seemed interested in the job, Tipton said.
“He said that could be a fun assignment,” said Tipton, who agreed. “I said, it’s an amazing assignment. You’re managing paradise (in Longboat Key).”
Tipton said that he hoped Mayte Santamaria, the St. Lucie County deputy county administrator would be promoted to fill Landry’s position.
“She’s so good. If they choose her as the interim, I think they’ll be in great hands,” Tipton said.
Tipton’s last day in Longboat Key is Sept. 14, after which he plans to return to St. Lucie County, where he still maintains a home.
“We’re excited to come back to St. Lucie County and see all our friends,” he said.
Colleen Wixon is the Indian River County government watchdog reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida county administrator leaving to lead Longboat Key
Reporting by Colleen Wixon, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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By Colleen Wixon, Treasure Coast Newspapers | USA TODAY Network
