Andrew Persons, Gainesville’s chief operating officer, will step into an interim city manager role in the coming months after a Thursday vote. 

The Gainesville City Commission unanimously selected Persons to fill the vacancy when City Manager Cynthia Curry leaves in November. The commission envisioned an October start date for Persons in order to have a month overlap.  

“I can’t tell you how honored I am that you all have put your faith in me for the interim manager position,” Persons said. 

He said he’s confident in Gainesville’s management team and is up for the challenge. Persons previously served as special advisor to the city manager and director of the Department of Sustainable Development. 

City commissioners praised Persons’ work ethic and said he would work well in the role. Commissioners noticed that Persons already serves as Curry’s point person for many major projects. Charter officers Zeriah Folston, director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion, and Stephen Mhere, city auditor, also supported Persons.  

Commissioner Ed Book noted that in 2023 the city had a lot of attrition within leadership, including five of its six charter officers listed as interims. He pointed to the city’s progress with a strong leadership team and no interims. 

Several commissioners discussed holding a nationwide search for the permanent position, but no timeframe was selected for the search. 

Persons sat on the dais for Thursday’s meeting instead of Curry. Next, Mayor Harvey Ward will negotiate a contract with him for the role. Curry made around $260,000 when she joined as interim and her salary increased to $299,000 as permanent in 2023.  

Curry announced her resignation in August. She joined in 2021 and has led the city through turbulent budget years as Gainesville underwent scrutiny by the Florida Legislature and the ongoing fallout with the Gainesville Regional Utility Authority. 

In a letter published by Mainstreet, Curry said the decision to resign is personal, professional and providential.