TOP STORY, JUNE: Eva Rey

Throughout the holiday week, YourObserver.com will be counting down the top 12 stories of 2011 (one from each month) from our Longboat, East County and Sarasota Observers and the Pelican Press. Check back each day for a reprinting — along with any relevant updates — of the biggest news items of the year.

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JUNE 16, 2011

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Eva Rey’s mind hasn’t stopped since she learned June 10 she would become Lakewood Ranch Town Hall’s new executive director.

“I keep a notebook by my bedside and that has been getting a real workout this weekend,” Rey said, laughing. “(There will be) lots of things to focus on.”

Members of the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority unanimously named Rey to the district’s top post after a full day of interviews last week.

Town Hall’s Finance Director Steve Zielinksi will continue to serve as the interim executive director until Rey assumes her new post — likely in July.

“Those two people (Rey and Zielinski) will give us a really dynamic staff,” IDA Chairman Tom Green said. “It’s a win-win for the community.”

Rey, 43, said she cannot wait to get started.

“What an incredible opportunity this is,” she said. “I love (this) community, and I want to be part of the community. I want to make the community (of Lakewood Ranch) a better place to live, work and play.”
A native of Florida, Rey grew up in Brooksville, where her family owns a drug store.

“From the time I could reach the counter, my dad had me doing stuff (in the store),” Rey said. “Eventually, I became the business manager (in 1988). I worked on the books, the billing, accounts payable.”

Rey had long believed she’d become a psychologist and even earned her bachelor’s degree in the subject. But a job working as a secretary at the Department of Children and Families from 2000 to 2002 proved to be the catalyst for changing her career path.

Her supervisor, a retired military officer, introduced her to working in the public service sector.

“He was a phenomenal leader,” Rey said. “I learned so much from him. When he got the job as the county administrator of Marion County, he asked me to come with him. He really did open the door for me. He really showed me the type of public servant I wanted to be.”

Rey served as the executive director of that county administrator from 2002 to 2007. During that time, she went back to school to earn her master’s degree in public administration. She joined the Village Center Community Development District, where she now serves as director of purchasing and support services, in 2007.

The Villages project has 83,000 residents and 10 residential CDDs, and Rey said she is confident she can put her experience to work in Lakewood Ranch.

Although Rey admits she has much to learn, she is eager to get to know the community and plans to focus on reaching out to residents, employees, CDD boards, community groups, business partners and others.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

UPDATE: Eva Rey assumed her new role Aug. 1. Since taking over, she has worked to focus on customer service, promote transparency and improve the office atmosphere at Town Hall.