St. Johns County

New St. Johns County administrator wants to bring ‘clarity and transparency’ to role

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The man tasked with taking the reins of St. Johns County spoke exclusively with Action News Jax about his new role.

Hunter Conrad was raised in St. Johns County and knows the community.

It’s a big reason why he got the full support of the Board of County Commissioners Tuesday.

As one of Florida’s fastest growing areas, challenges are ahead for St. Johns County, but commissioners believe Conrad is the right person to have at the helm.

“Initially my vision for the county is communication, clarity and transparency,” Conrad said. “We don’t want to be outcome driven, we want to hear the policy that the board wishes to set and the direction they want go.”

Conrad’s predecessor, Michael Wanchick, was fired after criticism over the handling of a private project that restricted public access to Mickler’s Landing beach.

Vice-chair Jeremiah Blocker initiated the motion to fire Wanchick. He said the problems went beyond Mickler’s.

“I think bringing in new blood, new leadership is important,” Blocker said.

Blocker and Conrad once went head to head in the courtroom as former attorneys but now they’re part of the same team.

“I think he’s going to bring some innovation and some new ideas and, most importantly, we want to address the needs of our community,” Blocker said.

Conrad is one of the youngest county administrators hired in recent history. He said good communication will be key to his leadership style.

“The support is obviously critical. To have a good relationship with each of my employers is wonderful, so at this point early on, it’s very exciting,” Conrad said.

It’s not a done deal just yet. Conrad’s contract still needs to be negotiated. That will be done at a later commission meeting.