City of St. Petersburg Hires Government Affairs Director

USF St. Petersburg Alumnus David Thompson Joins Welch Administration

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (December 20, 2022) - Mayor Kenneth T. Welch has officially named David Thompson as Director of Government Affairs. Thompson most recently worked as the Senior Legislative Assistant for Ohio Congresswoman Shontel Brown, and previously served as a legislative staffer for Florida Congressman Charlie Crist, managing a broad portfolio that included education, housing, healthcare, and nutrition policy. He also spent substantive time working on issues of racial justice and equity.

Thompson is a graduate of University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he served as Student Body President, the External Vice-Chair of the Florida Student Association, and on the USF St. Petersburg Campus Board.

"David is a tremendous addition to Mayor Welch's team," says Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy State President, University of South Florida Trustee and Chair, and USF St. Petersburg Campus Board Chair. "I have witnessed David in a student leader capacity set the bar for engagement, strategic thinking, and vision. He will apply those talents in making St. Petersburg shine."

Thompson has remained connected to St. Petersburg through his involvement with the USF Alumni Association and the State Society of Florida. Building partnerships with elected officials and empowering young people to be leaders in their community, Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience heading into the 2023 Florida Legislative Session.

"David brings a valuable perspective to our team," said Mayor Welch. "As a proven leader in a new generation of public policy advocates, David will work to continue building partnerships that will benefit all of our residents as we work to bring resources back home to enhance our focus on Education and Youth Opportunities; Equitable Development, Arts, and Business Opportunities; Neighborhood Health and Safety; Environment, Infrastructure and Resilience; and Housing Opportunities for All."

Reporting directly to Mayor Welch's Chief of Staff Jordan "Doyle" Walsh, Thompson will work closely with the City's State and Federal Government Relations consultants, City Administration, and the Communications and Community Engagement team. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration at Florida State University with a concentration in State and Local Government.