Melissa Ross
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, whose inauguration motto was “One City, One Jacksonville,” recently made a very high-profile and symbolic hire to drive that point home when he appointed Marsha Oliver as his new spokesperson.
Oliver is not only a registered Democrat, she’s also the first African-American female to hold the spox job at City Hall.
She replaces Bill Spann, who moves over to Military Affairs at the St. James Building.
It’s a smart move for Curry, who defeated the city’s first black mayor Alvin Brown in a close, partisan election. Beyond the obvious optics, Oliver has skills. She’s a savvy, veteran communications pro and a Jacksonville native who has spent the last 16 years with the Duval County Public Schools, most recently as comm chief for Superintendent Nikolai Vitti.
“I met Mayor Curry at the YMCA before he got elected. We both go to the same one,” she said.
“I wished him luck during the campaign and we joked about the importance of keeping fit in this kind of job. But we had only exchanged pleasantries. Then one day his team reached out and asked if I’d be interested in having a conversation with the mayor. I was honored by the opportunity.”
Oliver is one of three children, all of whom are graduates of FAMU.
“When it came time for college applications, there was only one on the kitchen table,” she jokes.
After graduation, she got recruited to Hershey, PA, doing public relations work for the chocolate giant. Then it was back to her hometown, where she’s been ever since, most of that time with DCPS.
The striking Oliver is known around town for her hard-driving work ethic and glamorous looks. What’s less obvious is her love for the city, which really came through in a discussion of her excitement about going to work for the Curry administration.
“Five years ago, I lived here because I was a caregiver, because of my folks getting older, plus I was raising a child as a single mom. But, I lost both parents in the last four years, and my son will be out of the house soon.
“So now, I choose to live here. And I want to contribute to making this a place that people want to come. This is a very fun, interesting time for our city, and to have a part in that is important. My son will graduate from high school next year and I want him to say that after college he plans to come back to Jacksonville.”
It isn’t lost on Oliver that she’s a high-wattage Dem going to work for the former head of the state GOP.
“Yes, I’m a registered Democrat. But you know, I have worked in previous campaigns with those who don’t have a “D” after their name. I supported Audrey Moran‘s campaign for mayor, for example. What’s most important to me is, do your actions, your ideals and beliefs truly reflect inclusiveness? I am seeing that level of commitment with Mayor Curry.”
Oliver starts her new position September 14th.
