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St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) accepted the written resignation from former County Administrator Hunter Conrad and a separation agreement effective June 29, and appointed Deputy County Administrator Joy Andrews the interim county administrator as they begin a national search for a new county administrator.
“The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners has full faith and confidence in Joy Andrews to lead us forward as we continue to maintain a continuity of operations with services and programs for the citizens and visitors of St. Johns County,” said BOCC Chairman Christian Whitehurst. “We appreciate the extraordinary work of county staff as we continue to make progress on numerous capital improvement projects totaling nearly $280 million, including road improvements and beach nourishment efforts, as well as plans for the 2024 fiscal year budget that begins Oct. 1. We will be prudent and purposeful on a national search as we work together to identify a permanent county administrator."
The BOCC will draft an employment agreement with Andrews to serve as interim county administrator and conduct a national search for a permanent county administrator with the aid of an executive firm. It also will assemble a selection committee to review applications and develop a list of finalists for interviews with the entire BOCC.
The selection committee will be comprised of: St. Johns County Commissioner Henry Dean, St. Johns County Director of Human Resources Lilian Hutchinson, St. Johns County Clerk of Court Brandon Patty, St. Johns County Property Appraiser Eddie Creamer and former Coca-Cola Senior Vice President Jerry Wilson.
Andrews graduated from Nanjing University School of Law in 2002, where she concentrated on international commerce and trade law. During that time, she served at the university's legal aid center. In 2005, Andrews moved to the United States to attend the Kansas State University School of Public Administration, where she received a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in public finance. Andrews joined St. Johns County in 2006 as a budget analyst for the Office of Management and Budget, and she also held the position of director of health and human services before accepting the role of deputy county administrator in 2015.
“I am humbled by the trust the Board of County Commissioners have placed in me to steer the county services forward while it conducts its national search,” said Andrews. “I fully accept the weight of this responsibility. We have dedicated and determined employees who embody the very mission of public service. Together, we will continue charting our course forward with excellent service delivery and an unwavering commitment to the community we love."
