St. Johns County Administrator "JOY" ANDREWS withdraws PBC application; was among 200+ people seeking to be Palm Beach County administrator. (Mike Diamond, Palm Beach Post, May 6, 2025)

MAY 13, 2025 BULLETIN:  

On May 9, 2025, St. Johns County Administrator "JOY" ANDREWS withdrew her application to be Palm Beach County Administrator.  Only three (3) days earlier on May 6, 2025, she wrote to Palm Beach County Human Resources Director David Kahn to tell him she looked forward to the "vigorous" process, which would include a "background check" and correspondence seeking "additional information." 

David Kahn

From: Yaoyao J <qianjunyao@gmail.com>

Sent: Friday, May 9, 2025 4:54 PM

To: CtyAdmRecruitment; David Kahn

Subject: Joy Andrews application withdrawal

This Message Is From an External Sender

This message came from outside your organization.

Good afternoon David,

For various reasons, I made the difficult decision to explore the opportunity with Palm Beach County, even as it meant

potentially leaving the place I have called home and served for nearly 20 years.

However, upon deep reflection, I’ve come to recognize how deeply rooted I am in St. Johns County — the community I

love, where my children were born and raised, and where I feel called to continue making a difference. I’ve also realized

how important it is for me to see through the critical initiatives we’ve started, including the comprehensive plan.

With that in mind, I respectfully withdraw my application before the process formally begins and want to sincerely thank

you for your time and consideration.

Warm regards,

Joy

On May 6, 2025 at 9:34 AM -0400, Yaoyao J <qianjunyao@gmail.com>, wrote:

Good morning David,

Thank you for the prompt update. I look forward to working with you and the selection team

through this vigorous process.

Joy

On May 6, 2025, 8:39 AM -0400, David Kahn <DKahn@pbc.gov>, wrote:

Thank you for your resume submission and interest in Palm Beach County’s County Administrator

position. I am happy to inform you that you are moving to the next phase in the recruitment process.

In this phase, two actions will be taking place:

1. Members of the Board-nominated selection taskforce will be reviewing resumes to determine

the applicants who will be interviewed by the taskforce. I will have more information within

the next 2-3 weeks.

2. The County will begin conducting background checks on all applicants. You will be receiving an

email from the PBC recruitment team requesting additional information within the next two

days. Please respond promptly with the requested information, as this is needed before

interviews can be scheduled.

Thank you,

David

David Kahn

Human Resources Director

dkahn@pbc.gov

(561) 616-6862

www.pbcgov.org

Click here to explore a career with Palm Beach County

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released

in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this

office by phone or in writing.

MAY 11, 2025 BULLETIN: St. Johns County Administrator"JOY" ANDREWS has applied to be Palm Beach County Administrator.  

Good career move. 

It's time for St. Johns County Administrator "JOY" ANDREWS to go, and she knows it. 

After barely surviving a January 21, 2025 vote of "no confidence" by 3-2, maladroit JOYLESS "JOY" ANDREWS applied on April 17, 2025 for the job of Palm Beach County Administrator.

"JOY" ANDREWS, controversial St. Johns County Administrator, is overpaid (some $300,000 per year).

 JOYLESS "JOY" presides over a horribly hostile working environment, one where employees fear doing their jobs "too well" if they do not please powerful landowners and louche lawyers for developers.   

UPDATE:  St. Johns County Commissioner SARAH ARNOLD wrote me at 3:07 pm on May 11, 2025, "Thanks for the heads up, Ed, but I’ve been aware of this for a while. PBC would be so lucky to have her." 

From Palm Beach County website:

https://discover.pbcgov.org/County_Administrator_Resumes/Joy%20Andrews.pdf 

qianjunyao@gmail.com

JOY ANDREWS

Joy Andrews

County Administrator

St. Johns County, Florida

qianjunyao@gmail.com

April 17, 2025

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners

301 N Olive Avenue

West Palm Beach, FL 33401-4700

RE: Application for County Administrator Position

Dear Commissioners,

I am writing to respectfully express my interest in the County Administrator position with Palm

Beach County. It would be a tremendous honor to serve a county as vibrant, diverse, and forward-

thinking as yours. While I do not take lightly the legacy of strong leadership that precedes this

opportunity, I am confident that the experience I’ve gained over the past decade uniquely positions

me to contribute in meaningful ways.

As County Administrator for St. Johns County—one of Florida’s fastest-growing counties—I’ve had

the privilege of working alongside a dedicated team to navigate extraordinary growth while

remaining mindful of fiscal stewardship and community values. Together, we implemented long-

range planning models that aimed to balance infrastructure expansion with smart land use and

sustainable service delivery.

Much of my journey has been shaped by challenges that demanded resilience and collaboration. I’ve

helped guide our organization through multiple federally declared disasters, including major

hurricanes including Matthew, Irma, Nichole, Ian and the COVID-19 pandemic, while overseeing

recovery efforts funded through CARES, ARPA, and CDBG-DR programs. These moments

underscored the importance of calm leadership and the strength of partnerships at every level.

Additionally, I’ve worked to protect and preserve our coastline, securing direct appropriations from

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for large-scale beach renourishment and resiliency projects—

efforts that have fortified more than 20 miles of shoreline. I’ve also been fortunate to help expand

economic opportunity through initiatives such as healthcare expansions, major private investment,

and targeted recruitment of high-impact employers.Throughout my career, I’ve strived to lead with a servant’s heart—elevating others, listening well,

and building trust across diverse constituencies. I have deep respect for the responsibility

entrusted to this role, and should the Board see fit, I would bring not only technical and operational

know-how, but a deep commitment to collaboration, transparency, and service to the people of

Palm Beach County.

Thank you for considering my application. Please find my resume attached. I would welcome the

opportunity to speak with you further about how I might support your vision for the future.

With gratitude,

Joy Andrews

County Administrator

St. Johns County, Floridaqianjunyao@gmail.com

JOY ANDREWS

PROFILE Dynamic and results-driven County Administrator with over 19 years of progressively

responsible experience in municipal management, including 10 years in executive

leadership roles as County Administrator and Deputy/Assistant County Administrator.

Demonstrates a deep commitment to public service through a leadership style rooted in

collaboration, transparency, and innovation.

Over the course of a 16-year leadership career, has developed and implemented strategic

initiatives across a broad range of disciplines, including infrastructure delivery, growth

management, policy modernization, economic development, emergency management, and

health and human services. Proven expertise in community engagement, legislative and

grant development, public-private partnerships, and destination and cultural asset

development.

Currently serving as County Administrator for St. Johns County, Florida, overseeing a

growing population of 320,000, an annual operating budget of $1.8 billion, and a capital

improvement budget of $450 million. Recognized for advancing organizational excellence,

driving complex projects to completion, and fostering a culture of openness and

accountability in local government.

EXPERIENCE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, ST. JOHNS COUNTY

2023 - PRESENT

• Serve as chief executive officer overseeing all departments and a $1.8B annual

budget.

• Champion infrastructure acceleration and interagency collaboration.

• Lead major policy reform, intergovernmental strategy, and community

engagement efforts.

• Guide the delivery of more than $450M in capital projects across multiple service

areas.

DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

/APPOINTED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC AGENCY,

ST. JOHNS COUNTY (POP. 265,512)

2019 - 2023• Served as Deputy County Administrator with a focus on development and strategic

affairs, overseeing Growth Management, Economic and Tourist Development,

Legislative and Grants Affairs, Community Redevelopment, Emergency

Management, Coastal Management, and Arts and Culture.

• Appointed Economic Development Director by ordinance; led countywide

economic initiatives, securing an $80M PGA digital/media facility, three major

hospital expansions, and multiple business relocations including American Roll-

On/Roll-Off.

• Directed intergovernmental affairs and secured over $100M in federal

appropriations for beach renourishment and housing/infrastructure

improvements.

• Managed disaster recovery efforts, including CARES Act, ARPA, and CDBG-DR

funding initiatives.

• Led smart growth efforts, including Comprehensive Plan and Land Development

Code updates focused on transportation, public services, and impact mitigation.

• Advanced high-quality tourism by enhancing cultural and natural assets; initiated

post-COVID economic recovery programs and expedited reopening of key venues.

• Spearheaded strategic planning and branding for economic development, tourism,

and overall government innovation.

ASSISTANT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, ST. JOHNS COUNTY

2015 - 2019

• Oversees Public Safety, Fire Rescue, Emergency Management, Tourist

Development, Health and Human Services, Housing, Parks and Recreation, Library,

with approximately 1,000 employees.

• Execute policies, directives and legislative actions of County Board.

• Prepare annual overall county budget of approximately $800 million with $156

million of capital improvement projects.

DIRECTOR, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ST. JOHNS COUNTY

2009 - 2015

• Directed integrated human services system, including child welfare, social services,

and housing.

• Administered multi-million dollar budgets and over 20 community contracts.

• Built innovative partnerships with public/private/foundation sectors.

BUDGET ANALYST, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, ST. JOHNS COUNTY

2006-2009EDUCATION SKILLS & INTERESTS • Prepared and monitored county budgets and department performance measures.

• Conducted financial forecasting and economic analysis for policy planning.

• Evaluated departmental efficiencies and compliance with fiscal regulations.

Master of Public Administration (Public Financing)

Kansas State University, 2005

Bachelor of Laws (International Commerce & Trade Law)

Nanjing University – School of Law, 2002

Strategic Planning • Infrastructure Delivery • Land Use Policy • Community

Engagement • Public-Private Partnerships • Grants & Legislative Affairs •

Economic & Destination Development • Arts & Culture • Emergency &

Human Services • Chinese (Fluent) • Reading • Travel

From Palm Beach Post:

More than 200 people apply to replace Verdenia Baker as Palm Beach County administrator

A task force will cut the list to a group of finalists to succeed Verdenia Baker, who retires May 31. The county expects to make a hire in June.

Mike Diamond

Palm Beach Post

May 6, 2025

More than 200 applicants, from all over the United States and beyond, are looking to become Palm Beach County’s next administrator, a job that is expected to pay as much as $477,000 a year.

The applicants include Deputy County Administrator Patrick Rutter, Assistant County Administrator Isami Ayala-Collazo and County Clerk Joseph Abruzzo. Two current county administrators in Florida have also applied: Anthony Schembri of Citrus County north of Tampa and Joy Andrews of St. Johns County near Jacksonville.

Applicants outside Florida include Mark Sohaney, the chief executive officer of the Joint Pearl Harbor-Hickam military base in Honolulu; Angelita J. Alvino, superintendent of National Parks of St. Croix; and Aaron Vassalotti, city manager of Woodland Park, Colorado. Assistant county administrators from within and outside the state have applied as well.

Panel starts work on recommending Palm Beach County administrator

While there are some applicants that would appear to meet the qualifications set for the post, many who posted before the April 28 deadline are likely to be rejected before county commissioners ever see them. For example, they include a student intern, a teaching assistant at Florida Atlantic University, the manager of a Dairy Queen and an administrative assistant from a concrete company based in Nigeria.

The task force will begin reviewing resumes on May 6. It will present a list of finalists to the commission on June 3. The commission would then conduct its own interviews, and make a hiring decision in the middle of June.

County commissioners in March voted to fast-track the process to have a new administrator on the job before Verdenia Baker retires on May 31. But the commission received push back for moving too quickly to fill the position and agreed to extend the search by 30 days.

If none of the candidates are acceptable, a national search firm will then be used, a process favored all along by three of the seven county commissioners.

Commissioner Gregg Weiss said the overall quality of the applicants disappointed him, adding that it reinforced his belief that the county "would have been better off it had hired a recruitment firm to do a national search." Weiss was one of the three commissioners that pressed for a true national search.

Assistants to Palm Beach County administrator seek top job

Rutter, in his application, said that his tenure as deputy administrator the past 18 months has prepared him well to serve as an administrator. The longtime West Palm Beach resident said he will be able to “hit the ground running on day 1. In over 30 years of work at various levels of government, I bring a unique insight into what makes this county such a great place to live and work.”

Rutter has been in Palm Beach County government for more than 20 years. He has a masters degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Florida.

Isami-Ayala Collazo, an assistant administrator, is a professional chemical engineer and an attorney and has a doctorate in public administration; a combination that she says equips her with the formal training required to assess complex problems from multiple perspectives.

Before coming to Palm Beach County, she was employed by Montgomery County Government in Maryland as the chief operating officer for its Department of General Services.

Collazo noted that she has successfully held positions at the state, county and local levels of government. She said she is seeking the position out of “a deep-seated belief that the county deserves a principled, skilled, experienced, even-keeled hand to continue the outstanding 34-year work done by the previous two county administrators.”

Abruzzo, who some critics have alleged is already the preferred candidate of four of the seven commissioners, lacks an advanced degree in public administration, one of the recommended qualifications set by the commission but experience in government could overcome the lack of such a degree.

Abruzzo graduated from Lynn University and is currently pursuing a master of legal studies at Pepperdine University in California.

In his application, Abruzzo told commissioners that his work as county clerk since 2021 and his time in the state House and Senate would prove invaluable in overseeing county government.

“I am prepared to step into the role quickly and offer an opportunity for a seamless transition to ensure the county keeps moving forward. I am ready to lead today and committed to adapting and growing for our future," Abruzzo wrote.

Abruzzo pointed to the increased investment income he generated for the county as its chief financial officer. Palm Beach County earned about $27 million in investment annually the year before he took office 2021. In Fiscal Year 2024, it earned a historic high of $230 million, according to Abruzzo.

Palm Beach County scheduled to name new administrator in June

Other applicants include:

• Adrian Jones, a former assistant county administrator in Francis County in Arkansas.
• Angel Arce, a Palm Beach Atlantic University administrator.
• Charles A. Montoya, a former city manager for cities in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Colorado.
• Charles Williams, deputy commissioner, Alabama Department of Corrections.
• Cody Hayes, administrator of Martin County’ roads and bridges division.
• Dan L. Bolden, oversees Palm Beach School district’s custodial, maintenance and landscaping/grounds units.
• Drew Willison, former chief executive officer of the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms department.
• Eric R. Johnson, Forsyth County, Georgia, manager.
• Kerrith D. Fiddler, Pensacola city administrator.
• Larry Tibbs, Moore, Haven city manager.
• Leonard Serratore, airport operations supervisor, Palm Beach Department of Airports.
• Richard Montanez, deputy commissioner for transportation, Philadelphia Department of Streets.
• Sonia Alves-Viveiros, Edison Township, New Jersey, city manager.
• Thomas Thomas, former Compton, California, city manager.
• Mike Diamond is a journalist atThe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and issues impacting homeowner associations. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.