IN THE PUBLIC EYE: Ed Hunzeker

Hometown: New York City
Education: St. Louis University, Accounting and Business Administration
Occupation: Manatee County Administrator
Bio: The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners appointed Ed Hunzeker as the Manatee County Administrator in November 2006.

During his time as the Manatee County Administrator, Ed Hunzeker has seen an unprecedented period of change for local government.

Hunzeker worked with the County Commission to save heightened property tax revenues, helping maintain public safety while avoiding service reductions to the public during the economic slump.

Since being appointed to the position in November 2006, Hunzeker has focused his attention on economic development, business retention and job creation while providing much needed services to the community.

As the County Administrator, Hunzeker has been responsible for carrying out the policies and directives of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners and for the development and management of the County’s annual operating and capital improvement budgets.

Hunzeker received both his Bachelor of Accounting and Master of Business Administration degrees from St. Louis University. In the 1970s, Hunzeker served as Health Department Administrator for a hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He then went on to work as the chief financial officer for a regional transportation authority in St. Louis and served as county auditor for St. Louis County.

In 1988, Hunzeker was hired as an assistant county administrator of Hillsborough County, a position he held for 15 years before serving as the Osceola County Administrator.

In addition to serving as Manatee County Administrator, Hunzeker also serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Manatee Chamber of Commerce and on the Advisory Board and Executive Committee of the Manatee Economic Development Council. Hunzeker serves on the United Way of Manatee County Board of Directors and is a member of the Manatee County CEO Roundtable, the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce and the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.

Hunzeker is married to Sharon and has three sons and five grandchildren. When he’s not hard at work, Hunzeker enjoys reading, traveling and golfing.