The City of Pensacola is pleased to announce two promotions in Development Services and Planning and Zoning, with Cynthia Cannon promoted to the new Planning and Zoning Manager and Leslie Statler promoted to the new Development Services Coordinator.
“I’m excited to have Cynthia and Leslie’s experience and institutional knowledge help lead the City of Pensacola’s Development Services Department and Planning and Zoning Division as we work to continue to provide the best service possible to our residents,” Mayor Grover Robinson said. “We know how important these services are as our city continues to grow and develop, and I look forward to further enhancing the level of service with an incredible leadership team in place.”
Cynthia Cannon
Cynthia Cannon has been selected as the new Planning and Zoning Manager for the City of Pensacola, bringing over 25 years of experience in urban and comprehensive planning, project management and community resiliency to the position. In her new role as Planning and Zoning Manager, Cannon will be responsible for overseeing all activities of the Planning and Zoning Division within the Development Services Department, including coordinating and implementing the City of Pensacola’s Comprehensive Plan.
Cannon has been with the city since 2019 as the Assistant Planning Services Administrator, also working for the city from 2011-2012 as the Administrator for the City of Pensacola Office of Sustainability. She earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental resource management and planning from the University of West Florida, along with her master’s degree in public administration and coastal zone management.
Prior to working for the city, Cannon served on the City of Pensacola Planning Board from 2009-2011. She has also been a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners since 2008.
Cannon’s previous experience also includes serving as an Associate Planner with CH2M HILL, where she worked on military base master plans for U.S. and Iraqi military bases, and Senior Planner for West Florida Regional Planning Council implementing the U.S. EPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Program.
As the Planning and Zoning Manager, Cannon will work under the direction of Development Services Director Sherry Morris. Her responsibilities will include working with staff to implement sustainability and resiliency goals for the city, coordinating the division’s long-range planning initiatives, preparing the division’s annual budget and more. Cannon will also act as a liaison to federal, state and local agencies, along with working with various official citizen committees and boards to promote long term community resiliency.
Leslie Statler
Leslie Statler has been selected as the new Development Services Coordinator for the City of Pensacola, bringing more than 20 years of planning and development experience to the position. As the Development Services Coordinator, Statler will be responsible for coordinating the city’s “One Stop” Development Services, advising on Planning and Zoning regulations for development plans, and working with city review boards as needed.
Statler started at the City of Pensacola in 2016 as a Planner, later being promoted to a Senior Planner. She earned her bachelor’s degree in building construction from the University of West Florida, along with a bachelor’s degree in outdoor recreation/park administration from the University of Memphis and an associate’s degree in pre-engineering from Pensacola Junior College (now Pensacola State College).
Statler’s previous experience includes serving as a Planner III in Planning & Zoning for Santa Rosa County, where she served as the staff coordinator for the Zoning Board before assuming a senior role in commercial development review, and a Clerk III in Building Inspections for the City of Pensacola.
In her new role, Statler will work under the direction of Development Services Director Sherry Morris. Her responsibilities will include coordinating the City’s “One-Stop” Development Services, in addition to reviewing plans, proposals, and permit applications for compliance with Planning and Zoning, providing guidance to developers and citizens on various planning and development matters. Statler will also research and recommend methods for improving plan review and permitting expediency, and will serve as a staff advisor to various city review boards as needed.