New town manager recommended for Longboat Key

When former Longboat Key Town Manager Tom Harmer announced his retirement, the town looked to St. Lucie County for his replacement in Howard Tipton.

Four years later, St. Lucie County is in the town's sights again. As Tipton prepares the town for his retirement, he has recommended St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry as his replacement.

Landry has served as the county administrator for the 400,000-resident, Atlantic-coast county since 2023. He began his 13-year tenure with St. Lucie County as human resources and risk manager before transitioning to lead the public utilities and solid waste departments.

Before that, he received a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars for his service with the U.S. Army. He retired as a first sergeant after 23 years of military service.

“He brings an impressive military background, is a well-respected Florida manager with expertise in serving coastal communities, and has a strong track record of leadership, intergovernmental collaboration, and county-level administration,” Tipton wrote in a memo to Town Commission recommending Landry for the position.

The Town Commission will vote on a proposed five-year contract with Landry on Monday, June 22.

His proposed salary is $255,000 with a $30,000 annual housing expense. Tipton’s salary was $255,624 and included a $24,000 housing expense.

Landry has met with Tipton, Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman and each member of Town Commission already. He wrote in a letter to Commissioner Sarah Karon that he would embrace the responsibility of leading the town if he were chosen for the position.

“As I learned more about Longboat Key, one phrase consistently stood out: “Keep Longboat Longboat.” To me, that reflects a commitment to preserving the qualities that make this community exceptional while thoughtfully preparing for the future,” Landry wrote. “If selected, my role would not be to change Longboat Key’s identity, but rather to help protect, strengthen, and enhance it through professional management, responsive service, and collaborative leadership.”

Town Commission will vote on Landry’s proposed employment agreement on Monday and would start, if approved, in the position Sept. 14.