JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Mayor-Elect Donna Deegan will make history this weekend in becoming Jacksonville's first woman mayor.
Deegan’s office will be hosting several events in celebration of her upcoming inauguration. The kick-off celebration will take place on Friday evening at the Hyatt Regency.
Her swearing-in ceremony will be held on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
First Coast News will be carrying the event live starting at 11 a.m. on ABC 25 & streaming live on FCN+ on Roku & FireTV.
Inaugural Events
**Guests attending ticketed events will receive their invitations via email.
Friday, June 30 - Mayor’s Inaugural Prayer Breakfast - Ticketed Event - Friday, June 30 at 9 a.m. - Garden Club of Jacksonville; 1005 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Friday, June 30 - Mayor’s Inaugural Kick-Off Celebration - Ticketed Event - Friday, June 30 at 5:30 p.m. - Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront; 225 E Coastline Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Saturday, July 1 - Mayor-Elect Donna Deegan Swearing-In Ceremony - Open to the Public - Saturday, July 1 at 11:30 a.m. - Jacoby Symphony Hall; Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts; 300 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Saturday, July 1 - Mayor’s Inaugural Ball - Ticketed Event - Saturday, July 1 at 7 p.m. - The River Club; One Independent Drive, Suite 3500, Jacksonville, FL 32202
When asked what her first move as mayor will be, Deegan told First Coast News said she plans to "throw open the blinds and let the sunshine in" with intentional transparency in Jacksonville's government.
She said she will make an effort to create more diversity, allowing residents to feel included in Jacksonville's government.
Deegan, a Democrat, narrowly beat out Republican opponent Daniel Davis with roughly 8,000 votes. She said during her acceptance speech that Davis called to tell her congratulations on a hard fought race following the announcement she had won.
Davis outraised Deegan four-to-one, but he failed to win in Jacksonville, which has had a Republican mayor for all but four of the last 30 years.
"As much as I wanted to win this race for the people of Jacksonville, I wanted love to win," said Deegan. "I made a decision when I got into this race that no matter what happened, no matter what the landscape looked like, we were going to lead with love over fear, we would not go with division, we would go with unity..."
Deegan introduced members of her leadership team in a press conference earlier this month. They include:
- Erica Connor, Executive Assistant - Erica Connor is a former practicing attorney, law school counselor and legal recruiter, with experience managing local and state political campaigns.
- Pat McCollough, Chief of Staff - Pat McCollough is a Transition Advisor and managed Mayor-Elect Deegan’s campaign. She is a retired U.S. Marine Sergeant Major. She has also led regional, state and national public health, political, organizing, and advocacy campaigns.
- Karen Bowling, Chief Administration - Officer Karen Bowling is the Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of North Florida. She previously served as the Chief Administrative Officer for the city of Jacksonville, CEO of an urgent care clinic network, and as a healthcare executive.
- Phillip Perry, Chief Communications - Officer Phillip Perry is a Transition Advisor and led communications for Mayor-Elect Deegan’s campaign. He has provided strategic communications counsel to national nonprofits, Fortune 500 companies, and political campaigns at all levels.
- Melissa Ross, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Liaison to the Press - Melissa Ross is the host of “First Coast Connect” and co-host of “The Florida Roundup.” Beyond her time as an award-winning radio host, she has been a television anchor, reporter, and executive producer.
- Dr. Joshi, Chief Health Officer - Dr. Joshi is an allergist and immunologist who has previously served as President of the Duval County Medical Society and several more local and state medical associations.
- Lakesha Burton, Chief of Public Safety - Lakesha Burton is the Crime & Safety analyst for WJXT4. Previously, she was a candidate for Jacksonville Sheriff and served for 24 years in the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office rising to the rank of Assistant Chief.
- Dr. Parvez Ahmed, Director of Diversity and Inclusion - Dr. Ahmed is a Professor of Finance at the University of North Florida and two-term member of the Jacksonville Human Rights Commission. Parvez is also a member of the Museum of Science & History board.
- Anna Brosche, Chief Financial Officer - Anna Brosche is the Relationship Partner at BDO Alliance. Before that, she managed a 40-person local CPA firm. Brosche previously served as Jacksonville City Council President and was a candidate for mayor.
- Mike Weinstein, Interim Chief Financial Officer - Mike Weinstein will serve as Interim Chief Financial Officer until October 2023. He is the CEO of Kids Hope Alliance. He has previously served as the City of Jacksonville’s Chief Financial Officer for multiple mayoral administrations and also as a State Representative.
- Ed Randolph, Director of Economic Development Currently - Ed Randolph is the Director of Economic Development for JEA and previously served as the City of Jacksonville’s Director of Business Development.
- Jason Gabriel, Chair of the Qualification Review Committee - Jason Gabriel will serve as Chair of the Qualification Review Committee as it evaluates new general counsel candidates.
- Bob Rhodes, Interim General Counsel - Bob Rhodes has served as an executive and general counsel for multiple companies. He has also advised the State of Florida on growth management, planning and property rights. On the local level, Rhodes has chaired numerous boards focused on downtown and economic development.