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JEA Interim CEO talks about returning, changes for the future

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — JEA has seen a lot of changes in the past two years, when it comes to the hiring and firing of Aaron Zahn, a federal investigation, and an overall lost of trust in the public utility.

Paul McElroy, the Interim CEO of JEA, spoke with WOKV about his career as the previous CEO and how the transition with him being in place has been going.

McElroy was CEO from 2012 to 2018 when he decided to retire. It was shortly after when Aaron Zahn was hired as the permanent CEO for JEA who pushed for the bids of privatization.

He was appointed by the new JEA board in their second board meeting to be the interim CEO for six months. He cannot stay for longer than that time period due to pension and contract conflicts.

McElroy said he has been approached by members of the community since November and December about the possibility of returning, but it wasn’t until Melissa Dykes was fired on April 28, when he said he was talking seriously with the board about returning as CEO. He said returning was the least he could do after sixteen and a half years working for the utility.

“I witnessed from the distance the activities of JEA and the deterioration of it’s reputation and the morale of it’s people and felt extremely disappointed and disheartened. And sad for the employees,” McElroy said. “I think in looking at where the utility was with the new board, I can help restore public confidence in the utility as an outstanding utility, because the foundation is still very strong. The foundation of JEA’s operations and it’s people are still strong. We’ve gotta communicate that clearly, and openly and transparently.”

With his return, also comes others.  Angie Hiers, former Human Resources Chief, Vicki Cavey, former Director of Strategy Development and Implementation, and Gerri Boyce, former Media Relations Manager, have all come back on a temporary basis to help with the transition.

One of the changes that has occurred so far is the suspension of Herschel Vinyard, the chief administrator. Vinyard was given the option to resign or face an investigation, and so far, Vinyard has refused to resign. However, McElroy could not talk much about the suspension due to the investigation.

When it comes to rebuilding trust with the community, McElroy is focusing on restoring confidence and bringing back the positive reinforcement with the employees and community that JEA appreciates them and JEA will deliver results.

“Restoring the faith and confidence, and executing our reliability plans, delivering service, empathetic service, and encouraging our employees that we love them and the community loves them, and that was demonstrated quite frankly over the last couple of years. Then we will be in a position to have earn the trust of our community and our customers.”

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