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All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesMatthew Coughlin has been selected to fill the vacant Escambia County Assistant County Administrator position. His duties will include oversight of departments and their strategic plans, along with development of clear performance benchmarks to meet the commission’s objectives. Coughlin joins current Assistant County Administrator Amy Lovoy, as the two most senior positions under County Administrator Jack Brown. His first day with the county is Monday, July 24.
The opportunity to serve the community and impact the area’s quality of life was one of Coughlin’s main motivating factors for applying for the position.
“It is an honor to be selected,” Coughlin said. “I hope that my experience and enthusiasm to serve can help advance the county’s mission to enhance the quality of life for all its citizenry.”
When asked about what he brings to the position, he said he hopes one area where he will stand out is the importance he places on working together toward a common goal.
“I hope to focus on strengthening our community by reinforcing current relationships, finding common ground where no collaboration exists. Forming new partnerships is key to advocating and working successfully for the people of the county.”
Currently the assistant director of the Pensacola International Airport, Coughlin is responsible for the daily management of the Small Hub FAA part 139 certified airport, with a $26 million budget. Prior to his time with the city, he had a successful 24-year career as a Naval officer and aviator. His final tour was as Naval Air Station Whiting Field’s base commanding officer from 2011 to 2014. While there, he was well-known for his community involvement and support while successfully fulfilling a mission that included overseeing a workforce of more than 3,000 personnel, managing an infrastructure that encompasses over 13,000 acres of property and 4,500 nautical square miles of airspace and airfields that equated to 14 percent of all Naval flight hours flown worldwide. Additionally, NAS Whiting Field volunteered more than 60,000 hours in the local community under his leadership.
A native of Greenfield, Massachusetts, Coughlin holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Western New England University, a Master of Science in management from the Naval Post Graduate School and a Master of Science in national resource strategy from the National Defense University.
Over 250 applications for the assistant county administrator position were received, and 10 people were interviewed. Coughlin was the unanimous choice of the selection committee which included Jack Brown, County Administrator for Escambia County; Chip Simmons, former Assistant County Administrator and current Deputy Chief of Operations for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; Keith Hoskins, former Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola and current Western District General Manager for Gulf Power; and Janice Kilgore, former Escambia County Public Safety Director and current Vice President of Greater Pensacola Operations at Navy Federal Credit Union.
The mission of Escambia County government is to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance our quality of life, meet common needs and promote a safe and healthy community.
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