JEA CEO Vickie Cavey, left, and Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan speak at a news conference Feb. 20, 2026. | Mike Mendenhall, Jacksonville Today
Published on September 1, 2026 at 5:14 pm
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JEA CEO Vickie Cavey is resigning effective Sept. 25, two years after taking over the publicly owned utility.
In a brief letter sent Tuesday to the chairperson of the JEA board of directors, Cavey said she was resigning as CEO and managing director with a “heavy heart.”
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But the letter did not indicate the reason for her departure. Cavey had taken a personal leave in late July, but JEA gave no reason at that time either. The utility said only that the leave was not related to her performance.
In her letter Tuesday, Cavey said she is certain that resigning is the right decision for herself, her family and JEA.
“I will make every effort to work with the Board and executive leadership to ensure a smooth and orderly transition of responsibilities until that time,” the letter said.
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Asked why Cavey resigned, JEA spokesperson Joe Vasquez said he knew only what was included in the letter.
A news release from JEA said, “JEA is grateful for her leadership, dedication, and the many contributions she has made throughout her remarkable career with the organization.”
JEA said the utility’s strategy and day-to-day operations would not be affected.
Chief Administrative Officer Jody Brooks will continue to serve as interim CEO and managing director until the JEA board has a special meeting to determine next steps. No date has been announced for that meeting.
Cavey’s history at JEA
Cavey started as an engineer at JEA in 1984, retiring in 2016, then returning in 2020 as special assistant for external affairs. She retired again in 2021, before coming back in 2024 when the board of directors hired her as CEO.
Tuesday’s resignation announcement came just over a month after JEA announced Cavey was taking a leave of absence. JEA said she would be gone for more than two weeks but less than 60 days.
At the time, JEA had become the focal point of several investigations, but JEA’s announcement did not suggest the leave was related to the controversy.
Former City Council President Kevin Carrico complained that the workplace under Cavey was toxic. Carrico launched an investigation in March into claims of workplace issues after the State Attorney’s Office had begun to investigate him in regards to a recommended appointment on the JEA board.
Cavey then testified in front of a special council committee in late June.
Carrico posted Tuesday on X about Cavey’s resignation. “They attacked the messenger. They mocked the investigation. They said there was nothing to see,” he wrote. “Today, the CEO resigned.”
Carrico added that he wishes Cavey well, “but I don’t regret asking a single question.” He said JEA employees deserved to be heard, and accountability always “outlives the political noise.”
City Council member Rory Diamond also posted on X on Tuesday afternoon, saying that “JEA is a critical service for our residents, and I hope future leadership will do everything they can to stabilize or reduce rates.” He also wished Cavey well.
