JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Donna Deegan announced Monday that Darnell Smith will serve as her Chief of Staff effective immediately. He previously served as Mayor Deegan’s Chief of Staff in 2024 and Co-Chair of her transition team in 2023.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our city and building on the momentum that Mayor Deegan has created,” said Smith. “It’s an honor to be part of a team that is working to make Jacksonville safer, healthier, and more affordable for everyone.”
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Earlier this year, Smith retired from Florida Blue after over 30 years with the company. He served as North Florida Market President and was responsible for market growth and community involvement across 36 North Florida counties.
Smith also serves on the boards of the Sulzbacher Center, Cathedral Arts Project, First Coast YMCA, LIFT JAX, JAX Chamber, JAXUSA Policy Council, United Way of Northeast Florida, A.L. Lewis Black Opportunity and Impact Fund, and Blue Zones Jacksonville.
“Darnell is the rare type of leader who brings decades of executive experience combined with genuine humility and an unending desire to help people,” said Mayor Deegan. “Jacksonville is a city on the rise, and we’ll only climb higher with Darnell returning to lead our talented team.”
Smith fills a role that’s been vacant since December 2025, when former Chief of Staff Mike Weinstein moved to the role of Chief Administrative Officer. Weinstein replaced former CAO Karen Bowling, who resigned in October 2025. She now serves as the CEO of WareWorks Skilled Trades Institute.