Mayor's Office
Since 1993, St. Petersburg has operated under the strong mayor form of government—a system that combines the strong political leadership of a mayor with an elected city council. The Mayor’s Office supports Mayor Rick Kriseman and Deputy Mayor Dr. Kanika Tomalin and serves to advance the Administration’s high-level initiatives.
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Mayor's Cabinet
The Cabinet advises the Mayor on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each Cabinet member's respective position.
The Cabinet includes the following members:
- Dr. Kanika Tomalin, Deputy Mayor/City Administrator, deputymayor@stpete.org
- Tom Greene, Assistant City Administrator, tom.greene@stpete.org
- Alan DeLisle, City Development Administrator, alan.delisle@stpete.org
- Robert Gerdes, Neighborhood Affairs Administrator, robert.gerdes@stpete.org
- Anthony Holloway, Police Chief, anthony.holloway@stpete.org
- Mike Jefferis, Leisure Services Administrator, michael.jefferisii@stpete.org
- Kevin King, Office of the Mayor, kevin.king@stpete.org
- Jackie Kovilaritch, Legal Department City Attorney, jacqueline.kovilaritch@stpete.org
- James Large, Fire Rescue Department Chief, james.large@stpete.org
- Nina Mahmoudi, Marketing Director, nina.mahmoudi@stpete.org
- Claude Tankersley, Public Works Administrator, claude.tankersley@stpete.org
Mayor's Office Staff
Kevin directs the day-to-day activities of the Mayor’s Office, serves as the chief policy and communications advisor to Mayor Rick Kriseman, and oversees the Mayor’s appointments to boards & committees. He works closely with the City Administrator and department heads in the development and implementation of external and internal policies.
Wayne is responsible for the City’s cultural affairs strategy and implementation that prioritizes the success of our cultural institutions and our local artists which contribute significantly to not only the economy, but to the cultural fabric and creative nature of the city, its residents and its visitors. He works with the city's Arts Alliance and other groups to advance the city as a major cultural center of the Southeast with multiple arts districts through multiple programs. He interfaces with all city departments to ensure the arts in their broadest definition are a successful part of all aspects of the city.
In addition to her duties as the Greenhouse Manager within the City Development Administration, Jessica serves as the Mayor’s liaison in developing cooperative relationships among representatives of local business groups and associations and to promote economic development in the City. She helps small and independent businesses navigate city government, leads the Mayor’s Small Business Tour series, and formulates policy aimed at helping St. Petersburg’s businesses thrive.
David is responsible for the daily operation and strategic implementation of the Mayor's Action Center, which processes citizen requests for assistance with services and distributes them to the responsible departments. David helps to ensure each department’s responsiveness and works closely with our residents to maintain St. Petersburg’s high quality of life.
nikki.capehart@stpete.org
Nikki directs the Mayor’s Urban Affairs platform that is focused on investing in the city’s disenfranchised population in a way that places a high priority on people-based strategies for increased opportunity. She works to increase opportunities for job development, nurturing neighborhoods and families, and helps to lead the implementation of the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area Plan with the City’s Economic Development Department.
benjamin.kirby@stpete.org
Ben is the city of St. Petersburg’s Communications Director, primarily serving as the official media and public spokesman for Mayor Rick Kriseman. In this capacity, he also works with the deputy mayor, Mayor's Office and city staff to develop and distribute information to the public as well as to citywide, regional, national and international media outlets. He prepares the mayor, deputy mayor, and agency officials for interviews, and promotes mayoral initiatives through media exposure. He composes press releases, advisories, speeches, talking points and related presentations and information. As the chief media liaison for the Mayor's Office, he develops and maintains media lists and tracks mayoral press coverage. He also assists with social media strategy and content.
leah.mcrae@stpete.org
Leah works with students, families, faculty, as well as community groups and leaders to advocate on behalf of St. Petersburg’s public schools. She serves as a liaison with the Pinellas County School Board and other governmental bodies influencing education policy. Ms. McRae will also lead efforts on the implementation of the Mayor’s Service Learning Initiative, and serve as a representative of the City and the Mayor on issues of youth, education, and civic engagement. She will work closely with departments throughout the city to engage St. Petersburg schools most in need.
john.rodriguez@stpete.org
John is responsible for the creation of the city of St. Petersburg’s legislative agenda, advancing the Mayor’s priorities at the local, regional, and state level, and serving as the City’s primary liaison to other governments and agencies. He oversees the City’s state and federal lobbying efforts and analyzes and recommends changes to existing and proposed laws.
sharon.wright@stpete.org
Sharon is responsible for delivering the mayor’s sustainability priorities by working across city departments and with citizens, businesses, and community partners to establish a community-wide sustainability program. Sustainability in St. Petersburg means finding the balance between environmental protection, economic vitality, and social equity and responsibility. Sharon’s work includes collaborating on programs like STAR Communities to set goals and implement policies, planning for climate change and resiliency challenges, and working with project teams to build and maintain city facilities sustain and equitably.
jim.nixon@stpete.org
Jim Nixon currently serves as the LGBTQ Liaison for the Office of the Mayor, managing the daily operations of our community’s LGBTQ Welcome Center. He has been a constant marketing force in the LGBTQ community throughout Tampa Bay for more than twenty years. In 2020, Jim Nixon was honored for his service to in the U.S. Navy as part of the Mayor’s Honored Veteran Award.
markus.hughes@stpete.org
Visit St. Petersburg Police Community Services page for more information.