(This list has been updated with additional information.)
Gainesville Regional Utilities dominates the top tier of City of Gainesville salaries, with five utility executives ranking among the city’s highest-paid employees, led by CEO Ed Bielarski.
Records obtained by The Sun through a public records request also show that, alongside GRU executives, city administrators and department heads are among Gainesville’s highest-paid employees.
Here’s the list:
1. GRU CEO Ed Bielarski — $342,014.40
Bielarski, who was named to the position in June 2024 by the governor-appointed GRU Authority board, is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the city-owned utility. Bielarski was previously fired from the position by the Gainesville City Commission in 2022.
2. GRU CFO Claudia Rasnick — $277,950.40
GRU’s chief financial officer is responsible for directing the budget and financial operations, overseeing long-range business goals, complex debt portfolios, financial and accounting functions while developing and implementing financial and strategic initiatives that align with the mission and strategic vision of the utility.
3. GRU COO Thomas Brown — $272,958.40
The chief operating officer provides overall strategic and operational direction and oversight of GRU’s energy supply, energy delivery and water/wastewater systems.
4. GRU CIO Walter Banks — $263,744
The chief information officers provides technologic vision and strategic leadership for developing and implementing information technology (IT) initiatives that align with the mission and strategic vision of the city of Gainesville and GRU. The CIO also directs the planning and implementation of enterprise IT systems in support of city operations and utilities in order to improve cost effectiveness, quality and service enhancement.
5. City Attorney Daniel Nee — $247,932.33
The city attorney is responsible for providing legal counsel to the city regarding day-to-day transactional business and advises on any legal matters.
6. Interim City Manager Andrew Persons — $245,000
The city manager stands as the administrative head of the city’s general government. Persons’ is responsible for the administration of all city departments except for those under the direction of the other charter officers. The city manager oversees all general government programs and services, is responsible for enforcing all city laws, ordinances and policies, acts as purchasing agent for the city, and prepares the city’s budget and performs other duties as assigned by the City Commission.
7. City Administration Technology Director Edward Nagy — $227,294.81
The city’s technology director performs managerial and administrative work for developing and implementing information technology (IT) initiatives that align with the mission and strategic vision of the city of Gainesville. The director of technology directs the planning and implementation of enterprise IT systems in support of city operations in order to improve cost effectiveness, quality and service enhancement.
8. Interim City Chief Operating Officer Brian Singleton — $216,797.59
The chief operating officer provides direct oversight for operational direction for Internal Service Operating Areas and Departments and provides direct oversight to multiple departments across the city, including but not limited to the Departments of Financial Services, Human Resources, Risk and Benefits, Public Works, Transportation, Facilities, Fleet, and Parks and Cultural Affairs.
9. GRU Energy Supply Officer Dino De Leo — $213,262.40
The supply officer plans, directs, coordinates and administers all activities and personnel of the utility’s Energy Supply Department, develops and implements departmental goals that are aligned with the strategic direction and business plan of GRU’s Utility Systems, directs the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of GRU’s Energy Supply systems while directing negotiations, and make major project assignments for procurement, design, construction, operation and maintenance contracts.
10. City Police Chief Nelson Moya — $212,695
The police chief plans, directs, coordinates and administers all activities and personnel of the city’s Police Department in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and directions from city government. Moya served as interim chief beginning in March 2024 before being named to the permanent position in September 2024.
11. City Equal Opportunity Director Zeriah Folston — $205,248.82
This charter officer provides leadership and policy guidance to the City Commission in areas relating to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Affirmative Action (AA), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program, Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Americans with Disabilities (ADA) compliance, Immigrant Affairs, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
12. GRU Energy Delivery Officer Chad Parker — $203,444.80
This position provides executive leadership and oversight for GRU’s Energy Delivery Department, directing the planning, construction, maintenance, and operation of electric and gas transmission and distribution systems to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective service. The role manages departmental staff, budgets, strategic initiatives, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder relationships while serving as a key liaison with utility leadership, government agencies, and the City Commission.
13. City Manager Executive Chief of Staff Cintya Ramos — $202,648.81
The chief of staff is responsible for advising the city manager while handling complex executive level work, proposing and maintaining the overall administrative, financial and organizational development strategies, solving departmental problems, developing Information technology and innovation strategies, mediating disputes and resolving issues on behalf of the City Manager.
14. GRU Director of Production Melissa Jones — $202,488
The director of production provides managerial leadership for GRU’s Energy Supply production assets, directing the operation, maintenance, repair, and improvement of generating stations and related facilities to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient power generation. The role oversees budgets, personnel, environmental compliance, safety programs, contractual services, and plant operations while ensuring facilities meet regulatory requirements and operational performance goals.
15. GRU Chief People Officer Cheryl McBride — $200,844.80
The chief people officer provides executive leadership for GRU’s workforce strategy, aligning human resources, organizational development, and change management initiatives with GRU’s mission and long-term business goals. The role oversees workforce planning, employee relations, leadership development, organizational change initiatives, people policies, and human capital analytics while serving as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on all workforce-related matters.
16. City Director of Public Works Gail Mowry — $197,842.16
The public works director is responsible for directing, planning and providing leadership for operation of the public works department including streets and operations, stormwater management, drainage maintenance, floodplain management, mosquito control, engineering, capital project delivery, solid waste and recycling.
17. GRU Wastewater Officer Deborah Daugherty — $195,915.20
This position provides executive leadership and oversight for GRU’s Water/Wastewater Systems Department, directing the planning, construction, maintenance, and operation of water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective service delivery. The role manages departmental staff, budgets, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, major capital projects, and stakeholder relationships while serving as a key liaison with utility leadership, government agencies, and the City Commission.
18. GRU General Counsel Derek Perry — $195,707.20
This position provides legal counsel and strategic guidance to GRU’s executive leadership on matters involving electric, gas, water, wastewater, and telecommunications operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The role represents GRU in regulatory and legal proceedings, oversees compliance and risk management efforts, negotiates contracts and disputes, and advises leadership on utility operations, energy projects, financing, and policy development.
19. City Information Security Officer Paul Ackerman — $190,000
The information security officer (ISO) is responsible for citywide cybersecurity strategy, risk management, compliance initiatives, and incident response leadership while ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of city information systems while building a cyber security program.
20. City Director of Human Resources Laura Graetz — $189,542.20
Serves on both the general government and GRU senior management teams and works as a strategic partner with charter officers/designees, department directors, and the City Commission, concerning Human Resources and Organizational Development (HR/OD).
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: GRU CEO is Gainesville’s highest paid employee. See the top 20
Reporting by Elliot Tritto, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Elliot Tritto, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
