Mayor Donna Deegan announced Dec. 19 that Florida Blue North Region Market President Darnell Smith will become her new chief of staff starting Jan. 2.
Smith succeeds Pat McCullough, who was appointed by Deegan June 14 and resigned Dec. 15.
Smith will serve as an “executive on loan” through a contract between the city of Jacksonville and Florida Blue, with the company covering his salary and benefits.
“He will build upon our administration’s early successes, and with decades of experience and a deep love of Jacksonville, I believe he will maximize this transformational moment in time for our city,” Deegan said in a Dec. 19 news release.
“It’s an honor to answer the call to serve Mayor Deegan and people across Jacksonville. I believe in her vision of an inclusive and thriving city that works for all of us – and the shared value that our community is stronger when it’s united. I’m looking forward to working with Mayor Deegan and the team to take big steps forward for our city,” Smith said in the release.
In his current role, Smith is responsible for Florida Blue’s market growth and community involvement across 36 North Florida counties. Previously, he served as Florida Blue’s Group vice president, Service Organization and Business Process Management Organization.
Smith was co-chair of Deegan’s transition team. He has served on the boards of Sulzbacher, Cathedral Arts Project, First Coast YMCA, LIFT JAX, JAX Chamber, JAXUSA Policy Council, United Way of Northeast Florida, A.L. Lewis Black Opportunity and Impact Fund and Blue Zones Jacksonville.