City hires finance director

John Lege III has accepted the position of finance director with the city of Sarasota.

Lege, currently the finance director for the city of Ocala, will begin work Monday, Feb. 4. Lege has served in that position for Ocala since 2010. His experience includes 10 years in city and county government and 21 years with the U.S. Navy, based in Jacksonville, including serving as a division officer and department head.

“I’m looking forward to John becoming part of our team,” City Manager Tom Barwin said in a press release Thursday. “Of the 50 persons recruited for the position, our five interview panels were unanimous in recommending him. He was referred to as ‘well qualified’ and a ‘perfect fit’ for the city of Sarasota.”

Lege will replace Chris Lyons, who worked for the city of Sarasota for 25 years, including five years as finance director.

This is the second department head position Barwin has filled since starting work as city manager Sept. 1. His first hire was Police Chief Bernadette DiPino.

Contact Roger Drouin at [email protected].