JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — For the first time since former JEA CEO Vickie Cavey’s resignation, JEA Board Chair M.G. Orender is publicly speaking out in an interview with Action News Jax’s Ben Becker, defending Cavey and questioning the motives behind the City Council investigation that scrutinized her leadership.
Cavey announced last week that she was retiring after months of controversy, a medical leave of absence, and a City Council investigatory committee review.
“Treated unfairly”
Orender says Cavey was unfairly targeted.
“We went through some turmoil,” says Orender. “Vickie, I believe was treated unfairly.”
Orender said he believes former City Council President Kevin Carrico played a significant role in the events leading up to her departure.
A City Council investigatory committee spent months examining complaints about Cavey’s leadership. The committee did not discover evidence that she was responsible for a toxic or racist culture at JEA after a number of combative hearings. However, a report concluded she was difficult to work with and the board recommended executive coaching.
The committee itself was controversial. It was formed by Carrico, who has faced scrutiny over his involvement in JEA-related matters.
“Big favor”
Becker first reported Carrico attempted to replace JEA board member Arthur Adams in February with Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Paul Martinez. Martinez is Carrico’s boss. In a text message to Adams, Carrico described the move as a “big favor” to a friend. That matter is now part of a State Attorney’s Office criminal investigation.
When asked how much responsibility he places on Carrico and City Council, Orender said, “I believe he either got bad information or [tried to] misdirect attention away from where he was at,” said Orender.
Orender also said he believes Cavey’s refusal to give JEA-owned land in Nassau County to the Boys & Girls Clubs for free may have angered Carrico, who serves as a vice president at the organization.
One text message Carrico sent to Martinez in January stated “Guess it’s time they get a new board member to show them who’s boss, you ready to play the game?”
Asked about that Carrico text message and emails, Orender responded “I think that was part of it. I do. Judging that by the texts and email I read that you read. We all saw them.”
Orender also pointed to JEA’s financial position, saying the utility’s bond rating is the strongest it has been in a decade and questioned why so much attention was directed at Cavey – suggesting the political battles surrounding JEA took a personal toll on her.
“I would have loved to see City Council investigate their own with the same intensity they went after Vickie Cavey,” says Orender.
Action News Jax reached out to Carrico for comment but did not receive a response. However, when Cavey resigned Carrico posted on X suggesting Cavey resigned because of the investigation.
What’s Next?
The JEA board is scheduled to meet Sept. 25 to discuss the process of selecting Cavey’s successor.
A revolving door of CEOs
JEA has experienced significant turnover in its top leadership position since 2018:
- 2026-Present: Jody Brooks (Interim)
- 2024-2026: Vickie Cavey
- 2020-2024: Jay Stowe
- 2020: Paul McElroy (Interim)
- 2019-2020: Melissa Dykes (Interim)
- 2018-2019: Aaron Zahn
Zahn was later convicted in connection with the failed JEA privatization scandal and is serving time in federal prison.
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