As I reported earlier, Mayor DC Reeves has tapped longtime public servant David Stafford as the city’s new administrator, bringing decades of local government experience to the role. Stafford, who served as Escambia County Supervisor of Elections for nearly two decades, shared the news during an appearance on the “(We Don’t) Color On the Dog” podcast.
- The appointment represents a homecoming for Stafford, who has deep ties to the city. Born at Baptist Hospital in 1970, he comes from a family with a legacy of public service—his late father once served as Pensacola’s city attorney. After spending time working in New York and Washington, D.C., Stafford returned to Pensacola in the early 2000s to run for elections supervisor.
Stafford wasn’t actively seeking a new position when the opportunity arose, but as he explained, “You don’t always control the timing.”
Reflecting on Pensacola’s evolution, Stafford noted the dramatic changes since he returned in 2004. “The old joke [was] you used to be able to roll tumbleweeds down Palafox after five o’clock,” he recalled, contrasting that image with today’s vibrant downtown.
Ready for the Challenge
The city administrator position comes with significant responsibilities, including oversight of a “$300 million plus budget with an international airport, a port, a gas utility, not to mention, of course, fire and police,” and nearly 900 employees. Stafford acknowledged he has “huge, huge, huge shoes to fill” following Tim Kinsella’s nine-month tenure.
- Stafford praised his predecessor: “What Tim Kinsella did during his nine months…made some very, very important strategic moves, both structurally, as well as personnel-wise.”
One advantage Stafford brings is his familiarity with key city personnel. Budget Director Amy LaVoy previously worked with him at the county, and he praised the team Mayor Reeves has assembled. “Lots of familiar faces, lots of new faces too,” Stafford said, adding he looks forward to “learning a lot and hitting the ground running.”
