Bradenton Hires New City Administrator

BRADENTON, FL — The city of Bradenton has hired a new city administrator.

Rob Perry, who has significant public service experience, replaces Carl Callahan, who retired from the position in June after working for Bradenton for 25 years, the city said in a news release.

After conducting group and individual interviews with four candidates, the five-member Bradenton City Council voted unanimously to have Mayor Gene Brown begin negotiations with Perry, who will begin his employment with the city July 19.

Perry has more than 30 years of work experience, 19 of them in public service, the city said. He most recently works for the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he served as the chief administrative officer. In this role, he managed 5,800 employees, 20 city departments and a $1 billion operating budget.

During his time in New Mexico, he also served as the secretary of corrections and the deputy director of the state’s Department of Public Safety.

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Perry started his public service career as an assistant state attorney in Pinellas County.

The new city administrator describes himself as a “lifelong student of leadership, data-driven decision making and inspiring others,” according to the news release.

He’s currently earning a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame and is expected to graduate in May 2022. He also holds a law degree, a master’s degree in litigation law, and a bachelor of arts degree in communications and economics.

“My work experience has taken me to many different places, and I am really impressed with Bradenton – the city, the leadership it has in place and the people,” Perry said in a statement. “I am excited to be a part of Bradenton’s future and to help take it to its next level of sustained growth and success.”

Mayor Brown expressed eagerness for Perry to join Bradenton’s staff.

“The city of Bradenton has an exciting future, and we are confident that Mr. Perry can help us steer the ship,” Brown said. “He is joining us at a challenging time of year, and we expect to use his municipal government budget experience right away. We hope to have a long and fruitful relationship with Mr. Perry.”