JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – An interim CEO will lead JEA while the utility company’s current CEO, Vickie Cavey, takes an extended leave of absence, effective immediately.
The leave is expected to last more than 14 days but fewer than 60 days, JEA said.
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JEA announced that Jody Brooks has been named interim CEO.
JEA Board Chair M.G. Orender designated Brooks to serve in the interim role during Cavey’s absence.
“I am grateful for the Board’s confidence and honored to serve JEA in this role,” Brooks said. “Our focus remains unchanged: supporting our employees, serving our customers and continuing to provide the safe and reliable utility services our community depends on every day.”
Brooks will work closely with JEA’s executive leadership team to ensure operations continue smoothly, JEA said. The utility’s priorities and its dedication to delivering safe, reliable electric, water, and wastewater services will stay the same, the news release said.
Probe into toxic workplace allegations, capacity fees
The leadership transition comes as JEA faces intense scrutiny from a Jacksonville City Council special investigative committee examining allegations of a toxic workplace, claims of racism and millions of dollars in disputed capacity fees.
Cavey was recently questioned for more than two hours during a sometimes-contentious hearing that included heated exchanges among council members. The committee pressed Cavey about how she was appointed, her leadership style and whether she had ever used the phrase “Make JEA Great Again.”
“I don’t recall a meeting saying that,” Cavey said. “I may have, but I don’t recall it at all.”
Cavey also testified that she first learned about workplace culture allegations from a news report.
Criminal investigation limits questioning
The committee’s questioning ran into legal limits when members sought to discuss a contract involving the Ballard lobbying firm. Michael Fackler, general counsel for the City of Jacksonville, warned that the topic was off limits.
“This particular contract is the subject of a criminal investigation by the statewide prosecutor and the state attorney,” Fackler said. “The agency does not know if it is the subject, we do not know who is the subject of this, so this is an extremely sensitive area.”
Council tensions boil over
Tensions rose on the dais during the hearing. Councilman Matt Carlucci and Councilman Rory Diamond clashed, and the committee chair repeatedly called for decorum. Carlucci later apologized for an earlier outburst, criticizing what he described as a politically motivated tone.
“My frustrations got the best of me,” Carlucci said.
He later called the City Council’s work culture “toxic,” saying some members were using the investigation for political purposes.
Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman said Cavey’s repeated “I don’t recall” responses — Pittman said Cavey answered that way to more than a dozen questions — left her frustrated.
“And for you to ask some of these questions, I felt like I didn’t want to ask anymore from what I heard today,” Pittman said.
Internal investigations opened, capacity fees disputed
JEA’s assistant general counsel told the committee the utility has opened two internal investigations into employee complaints. The committee also addressed disputed capacity fees — one-time charges billed to new customers based on projected water and electric usage.
JEA says it has identified about $25 million in owed capacity fees dating to 2003. Some accounts may not have been adjusted after businesses expanded beyond their initial projections.
Council President Kevin Carrico formed the special investigative committee to examine the culture complaints and capacity fee concerns. Most recently, the committee heard testimony from Brooks — prior to her interim appointment — and Regina Ross, the utility’s former legal counsel.
Incoming Council President Nick Howland said he will make an announcement about the future of the special investigative committee.
Employee survey results raise concerns
The committee opted to conduct its own employee survey, saying JEA’s internal survey might not provide enough detail to address the toxic workplace allegations. The committee said its survey will more directly assess concerns about workplace culture and allegations involving senior leadership.
JEA released the results of its own survey, with the utility reporting that 59% of employees — 1,362 out of 2,314 — participated. Respondents also submitted 4,124 written comments. JEA says its overall results are benchmarked against comparable electric and water utility companies.
Several results stood out:
- 47% of employees said they feel well-informed about important decisions at JEA — 18% below comparable utilities.
- 49% said they have confidence in JEA’s chiefs — 23% below comparable utilities.
- 46% said directors, vice presidents and chiefs understand what is really happening at JEA — 19% below comparable utilities.