The Board of County Commissioners is excited to announce that at the Florida Engineering Society’s (FES) annual conference held in late July, Deputy County Manager/County Engineer, Robert Companion, was named the FES 2022 Government Engineer of the Year.

The FES is the State’s leading organization committed to supporting engineers and the engineering profession. The FES supports their 3,000+ members by providing educational opportunities, professional licensures, and promotion of ethical and competent practices.

To be considered for this prestigious award, an individual must be able to demonstrate outstanding contributions within their communities, as well as to the advancement of other engineers employed by the Federal, State, County or Municipal Governments in the State of Florida.

Jess VanEyk, Chair of the Florida Professional Engineers in Government, stated, “When reviewing potential award recipients, we look at the applicant’s noted contributions to the engineering practice and how they have improved or enhanced that practice. Mr. Companion’s adaptation and enhancement of capital improvement projects and corresponding mobility projects were the key factors in our vote. Another factor in this vote was Mr. Companion’s development of Nassau County’s first pavement management plan. Mr. Companion’s contributions are a demonstration of meaningful engineering planning and its benefit to Nassau County and its residents”.

As Deputy County Manager/County Engineer, Mr. Companion provides direct support to the County Manager as part of the executive leadership team charged with strategically aligning the County’s goals and resources. He also oversees the County’s Public Works and Community Development Divisions as they relate to community planning, capital improvement projects, stormwater/drainage improvements, and construction/maintenance of roads.

Taco Pope stated, “As County Manager, I am extremely proud of Robert. As a citizen of Nassau County, I am thankful that Robert has chosen to apply his professional talents to making our community the best it can be. Every day, I witness the time, effort and passion he puts into executing his craft on behalf of the residents and visitors of Nassau County”.

Mr. Companion is a life-long resident of Nassau County who is committed to improving the quality of life for our residents. Mr. Companion’s education includes an Associate of Science Degree in Computer Aid Drafting and Design (CADD) from ITT Technical Institute, as well as a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of North Florida.

Companion’s work experience includes over a decade of roadway and development design experience in both the private and government sectors. He has served the Nassau County residents as both the Senior Transportation Engineer and County Engineer before being promoted to Deputy Manager/Assistant County Manager earlier this year. Mr. Companion also serves his community through volunteer efforts which have included the Relay for Life of Fernandina Beach / Yulee and most recently Kairos Prison Ministry.
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In response to receiving the award, Mr. Companion stated, “It is a privilege to serve the residents of Nassau County every day and an honor to be recognized by FES for the good work we have been doing to better serve the citizens”.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Officer

8/1/22 @ 12:10 p.m. - In January 2022, County Manager Taco Pope, instituted new Customer Care Standards to govern both internal and external interactions and to create a more positive work environment. Part of this initiative includes an Employee Recognition Program in which employees can nominate co-workers who have demonstrated Nassau County's Customer Care Standards and/or has provided exceptional performance beyond established duties and responsibilities. 

We are pleased to announce that our new Employee of the Quarter is Nassau County Animal Control Officer, Marty Pruitt. Marty has worked for Nassau County since 2016 and is well known and loved among members of our community. In fact, the County recently received emails from residents commending him and thanking him for his service. One citizen expressed their gratitude to Marty for his help in handling a pack of aggressive dogs that had been trespassing onto his property. He stated, "I truly believe Officer Pruitt's exceptional professionalism is the primary reason for the peaceful and amicable resolution". 

This is just one small example of Marty's service and dedication to the County and its residents. If you see Marty, be sure to congratulate him on being our Employee of the Quarter!

Also, in case you missed it, Marty was also featured in our "Proudly Serving Nassau" series last year. This video highlights the service he provides to the community every day. To view it, please click here. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

7/15/22 @ 2:40 p.m. 

​The Florida City-County Management Association (FCCMA) has recognized Nassau County Manager Taco Pope for his personal and professional excellence in local government administration. Last month, the FCCMA publicly celebrated achievements of its members and their significant contributions to the management of local government as part of the association’s annual State conference. County Manager Pope was one of only two City/County Managers selected statewide for the FCCMA’s 2022 Who’s Who Under 40 Award.

The Who’s Who Under 40 Award was created by the FCCMA to acknowledge the industry’s top emerging talent who will serve as an integral part of local government for years to come. To be considered, the recipient must have a great aptitude for local government work and must exemplify the tenets of the code of ethics established by the International City/County Manager’s Association (ICMA).

FCCMA’s Association Services Coordinator, Nykierama Cooper, stated, “The Who’s Who Under 40 Award recognizes top local government leaders in Florida under the age of 40 for their personal and professional excellence. Those selected are among the industry’s top emerging talent and will be an integral part of the FCCMA and local government administration for years to come. Mr. Pope was selected for this award because of his contribution to the field of Public Administration and for his positive community impact.”

Board of County Commissioners Chairman Jeff Gray stated, “Taco is an excellent example of what a true public servant should be. He is devoted to the success of the County and the well-being of its residents. His long-term vision and strong work ethic provides the foundation needed to establish generational sustainability and a quality of life that our residents can enjoy for years to come. We are happy to have him on our team and are excited about the County’s future under his leadership.”
In response to receiving the state-wide recognition, County Manager Pope stated, “I am humbled to be recognized by my peers from across the State. I am extremely appreciative to receive validation from a respected independent third-party like the FCCMA. This recognition reaffirms that we, as a collective community, are making tremendous strides forward. Ultimately, this is our home and it is what we make it.”

As County Manager, Mr. Pope serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the county government. He provides fiscal, strategic, and operational leadership to the organization, as well as sound analysis and professional recommendations and implementation of the Board’s policies. The County Manager promotes quality-of-life/quality-of-place and generational sustainability through the professional management of the organization’s resources.

Mr. Pope is a native Floridian and 35-year resident of Northeast Florida. He is a certified professional planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) with seventeen years of local government experience in the State of Florida. Taco has served Nassau County citizens as both a technical practitioner in the field of urban/community planning and as an administrator/program manager. Prior to accepting the position of Nassau County Manager in 2020, Taco served the citizens of Nassau County in several roles including, Assistant County Manager, Planning and Economic Opportunity Director, and as a community planner. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and two Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration.

Beginning this Fall, Mr. Pope will be hosting “Ask the County Manager” sessions across the county where citizens can discuss current topics with the County Manager and senior staff members. Be sure to sign up for the weekly County news blast at https://bit.ly/NassauNews to be notified of the meetings.

7/12/22 @ 4:30 p.m.

Commissioner John F. Martin was presented with the Advanced County Commissioner Level I (ACC I) designation from the Institute for County Government (ICG) at an award ceremony held at the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Annual Conference and Educational Exhibition in Orange County, Florida on June 30, 2022.
 
The ACC I designation signifies the commissioner's completion of a comprehensive study program designed by ICG. The ACC I education program, consisting of three two-day seminars and 27 hours of total coursework, focuses on leadership development with an emphasis on the future of Florida. Commissioners are given the opportunity to participate following their graduation from the Certified County Commissioners (CCC) program.
 
“As an optional program, it takes a commissioner who is truly dedicated to serving their community to pursue this designation and it speaks volumes about those who do,” shared the Institute for County Government’s Executive Director, Eric Poole. “This program brings together commissioners who are committed to facing Florida’s greatest challenges and allows them to collaborate and grow as they learn new strategies, which they may use to better their communities.”
 
Upon completing the program, Commissioner John Martin stated, “The Advanced County Commissioner Program has provided me with a better understanding of the complex issues that counties are facing around the State. This knowledge has further prepared me in planning for Nassau County’s future and will be useful in effectively representing our constituents. I highly recommend the Advanced County Commissioner program to any Elected Official who wants to expand their expertise in governmental affairs and maximize their leadership skills”.
 
The ACC I education program was launched in 2006 and commissioners must fully commit to the coursework to graduate from the program. Participants are challenged to act, think and lead during times of uncertainty and adversity. Alongside Commissioner Martin, 17 commissioners earned the designation at the 2022 award ceremony and a total of 285 commissioners have earned the designation since the inception of the program.
 
The education program is made possible in partnership with the University of Florida/IFAS Extension, who has sponsored this program for the last fifteen years and has offices in all 67 Florida counties.
To learn more about the ACC program and other education programs offered through the Institute for County Government, please visit flicg.org.
 
Founded in 1929, the Florida Association of Counties has represented the diverse interests of Florida’s counties, emphasizing the importance of protecting home rule – the concept that communities and their local leaders should make the decisions that impact their community. The Florida Association of Counties helps Florida’s counties effectively serve and represent their communities through Advocacy, Collaboration, and Education.

 

6/9/22 @ 4:15 p.m. - Please join us in congratulating the graduates of Leadership Nassau Class 20, including Nassau County's very own Assistant Facilities Director, Jeff Little! (pictured back row, far left)

Leadership Nassau is a 10 month program sponsored by the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce designed to develop the skills of community leaders by providing an understanding of problems, opportunities and issues facing our community. Class 20 was put on hold in 2020 due to the onset of COVID. Fortunately, the participants were given an opportunity to complete the course and graduated in May of this year. We commend them all for their dedication and look forward to seeing their future achievements!

The Chamber is currently accepting applications for Class 22. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30th. If you are interested, please fill out the attached application and return it to the Chamber. If you have any questions, please contact Lynne Starling at (904) 261-3248 or via email at Lynne@NassauCountyFLChamber.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

5/2/22 @ 10:25 a. m. - Belatedly, we would like to commend Robyn Mobley on celebrating 25 years of service with Nassau County. Robyn was recognized for her achievement at the Wednesday, April 20th meeting.

County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, "Robyn is warm, kind, is always smiling and she just makes our days better". Human Resources Director, Ashley Metz added, "HR really wouldn't work well without Robyn. She is a great asset to the County".

Robyn has many responsibilities but some of her main job duties include reviewing employment applications, coordinating interviews, assisting employees with their benefits, conducting background checks, arranging employee physicals, and coordination of new hire orientations.

Congratulations Robyn! We appreciate you and everything you do on behalf of the County.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

4/28/22 @ 9:00 a.m. - In January 2022, County Manager, Taco Pope, instituted new Customer Care Standards to govern both internal and external interactions and to create a more positive workplace environment. (See original story here)

Part of this initiative includes an Employee Recognition Program in which employees can nominate co-workers who have demonstrated Nassau County's Customer Care Standards and/or who has provided exceptional performance beyond established duties and responsibilities.

We are pleased to announce that we have two "Employees of the Quarter", John Horne and David Brown, for the period of January - March 2022. They were both given this award based on selfless actions they did together. They went above and beyond when a Nassau County resident entered the Convenience Recycle Center during a heavy rain storm and asked for assistance as she had two small children in her vehicle and was impacted by a flat tire. David and John immediately took action without regard to the weather and worked together to change her tire. Thanks to their efforts, this resident was able to get herself and her children home safely.

This is just one small example of their service and dedication to the County. Both employees work tirelessly to perform closure and post-closure activities as required by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the County's landfill sites in Callahan, Bryceville and Lofton Creek. They also haul waste received at the Convenience Recycle Center to the Camden County Landfill and pull recycle bins from our sites around the County and hauls the materials to the appropriate recycling plant. 

If you see John or David, be sure to congratulate them on being Nassau County's "Employee of the Quarter".

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

2/17/21 @ 4:15 p.m. - At today's Board of County Commissioners meeting, 3 employees were recognized for their years of service to the County:

• Terry Price (Foreman for the Road Dept), celebrating 25 years
  
• David Crout (Truck Driver for the Road Dept), celebrating 25 years
• Keith Ellis (Building Official), celebrating 25 years
  

Congratulations to these 3 outstanding employees! We truly appreciate all their hard work and dedication.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Contact:
Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
(904) 530-6010
srobertson@nassaucountyfl.com
 
Brian Simmons Appointed to North Florida Procurement Association’s Board of Directors
 
Nassau County, Florida, February 3, 2021 – Last month, Brian Simmons was appointed to the North Florida Procurement Association’s Board of Directors. Mr. Simmons is the Procurement Manager for the Board of County Commissioners and has been employed by the County since October 2020.
 
As Procurement Manager, Mr. Simmons ensures that departments under the Board are purchasing products and services at the best possible price and in compliance with the County’s adopted Purchasing Policy. He also reviews all bids, quotes and proposals necessary to award contracts and serves as a liaison between the Board’s departments and vendors.
 
As a member of the NFPA Board of Directors, Mr. Simmons will join other procurement professionals from the region in development of training sessions and coordination of trade shows were members can meet vendors and develop relationships that benefit their individual organizations. He will also assist in gathering and publishing contractual information on formally procured contracts awarded by member agencies. This allows local government entities to see prices other entities were able to secure for products and services  so they can “piggyback” off those contracts to secure the same prices without having to go through their own bid process, saving them both time and money.
 
Upon being appointed, Mr. Simmons stated, “Our goal is to help the County be the best possible stewards of our residents’ tax dollars. This opportunity allows us to work even more closely with government and industry thought leaders in and around northeast Florida who can contribute to the goals and initiatives that are already enabling us to improve our service to County departments and, and by extension, our residents”.
 
The NFPA Board of Directors meets monthly in various locations throughout the region. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group is meeting virtually until further notice.
 
If you have any questions related to purchases under the Board of County Commissioners, please call (904) 530-6040. To view the Board’s currently advertised bids or to register as a vendor to be notified of future needs, please visit the Purchasing webpage at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/280/Contract-Management-Purchasing.