The newly renovated and equipped building is owned by the department, and will now house the Suncoast Region headquarters. Kearney appointed Lee Johnson as acting regional director on September 8 while the search for a permanent director continues. Now that we have someone in this key position, we can move forward with our plans to mobilize our regionalization efforts. Johnson is a veteran leader for the department and currently is the district administrator for the department's District 4 located in Jacksonville. Johnson announced his three top priorities upon taking his new position -selection of a senior management team, a name for the region, and a location for the regional headquarters.
Staff are the ones that make things happen.
Without them the best ideas cannot come to fruition. Last week he announced the selection of Lynn Richard and Jan Gregory as his two deputies. Richard is the former district administrator of District 5, Pinellas and Pasco Counties. As the deputy regional director for operations, he will now oversee regional programs and operations for the six county Suncoast Region. Gregory is the former district manager for administrative services for District 6, Hillsborough and Manatee counties.