Darnell Smith, as shown in 2022, serves as North Region president for Florida Blue. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
Published on December 19, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Mayor Donna Deegan has a new chief of staff: Darnell Smith, an executive with Florida Blue who co-chaired her transition team.
Smith will move to City Hall after 10 years as the insurance company’s North Region president. His appointment comes days after Pat McCollough left the mayor’s office after less than six months on the job. The city gave no reason for her departure.
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Smith will start Jan. 2 as chief of staff, serving as an “executive on loan” through a contract between the city and health insurance company, city officials said. Florida Blue will cover his salary and benefits, but he will do no work for Florida Blue, the city said. He will have a one-year contract with the city.
Deegan said she is “excited and grateful” that Smith is joining her team.
“He will build upon our administration’s early successes,” Deegan said in the announcement. “And with decades of experience and a deep love of Jacksonville, I believe he will maximize this transformational moment in time for our city.”
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Smith said it is “an honor to answer the call” to serve Deegan and the city’s residents.
“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,” his statement said. “I’m looking forward to working with Mayor Deegan and the team to take big steps forward for our city.”
City officials announced McCollough’s abrupt departure over the weekend. She had also served as Deegan’s transition adviser and campaign manager. She made $230,000 a year as chief of staff.
As for Smith, Florida Blue appointed him in 2013 as market president for the North Florida Region. His job was to manage the company’s business market growth, as well as handle customer and community involvement across 36 North Florida counties from Palm Coast through Pensacola, according to a news release on his appointment.
Previously, Smith was group vice president of Florida Blue’s service and business process management organizations. He has a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. He also served on boards of the Sulzbacher Center, Cathedral Arts Project, First Coast YMCA, LIFT JAX, JAX Chamber and other nonprofits. He most recently served as co-chair of Deegan’s transition team.
Lead image: Darnell Smith, as shown in 2022, serves as North Region president for Florida Blue. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
