A.G. Gancarski
Florida Politics has learned that Bill Spann, the spokesman for Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, has agreed to be director of the Military Affairs and Veterans Department for the city.
A letter from Curry states, regarding Spann, that “from day one, Bill told us his one true passion was to serve our active duty military, Guard and Reserve, veterans, and our military families. However, I asked Bill to navigate the Administration through the first few weeks of media relations due to his extensive PR background, and he did the Yeoman’s work.”
Spann, a Navy veteran, has decades of experience in state and federal government both. Spann was chief of staff of the Florida Department of Children and Families during Jeb Bush‘s era. Additionally, he has worked White House advance for two presidents.
Marsha Oliver, current chief of public relations and marketing for Duval County Public Schools, will be the new city director of Public Affairs. The transition will happen Sept. 14.
Spann declined comment because the position is pending city council confirmation. However, he is “honored by the trust and confidence shown by Mayor Curry.”
A news release from the Curry administration contained the following quotes from the mayor.
“Since transition, Commander Spann has been helping with issues related to Duval County’s military and veteran communities. This work was done while he has also served the administration in media relations and public affairs. The addition of a team member with years of local media relations experience means Bill can now be solely focused where his passion and professional experience will best serve Jacksonville. His background in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., allows him to collaborate with House and Senate members, staffs, and agencies at the state and federal level,” said Curry. “The result is that Jacksonville’s active duty military, Guard and Reserve, veterans, and military families have a strong advocate working for them in the Mayor’s office.”
“With an experienced communicator like Marsha Oliver on the team, my administration continues to provide Jacksonville the best possible talent with the highest possible return on investment,” said Curry. “Marsha is one of the finest communications professionals in the City of Jacksonville, and the experience she brings from her DCPS experience will serve our citizens well.”
