Mayor Grover Robinson has selected Kerrith Fiddler as the new City Administrator for the City of Pensacola, responsible for managing the daily operations of the city and working with staff to ensure the efficient delivery of city services and implementation of adopted policies and ordinances.
As City Administrator, Fiddler will serve as a senior advisor to the Mayor in a wide variety of administrative and policy areas, also assisting with the development of strategic policy priorities and leads mayoral initiatives.
Fiddler was selected to replace current City Administrator Keith Wilkins, who is retiring effective Dec. 17. Fiddler will assume the role of City Administrator beginning Oct. 1, when Wilkins will begin serving as an advisor to Administrator Fiddler until his retirement in December.
Fiddler currently serves as Deputy City Administrator for the City of Pensacola, responsible for the oversight of the City’s community development departments including Public Works & Facilities, Community Redevelopment Agency and Economic Development.
He started at the City of Pensacola in July 2019, moving to Pensacola from Kissimmee, Florida, where he served as the Public Works and Engineering Director for the City of Kissimmee from December 2014 to February 2019. Fiddler graduated from Florida International University with a Master of Science in construction management and a Bachelor of Design in architecture, and he has over 15 years of experience in local government.
Fiddler said he’s looking forward to taking the next step in his career at the City of Pensacola.
“I am incredibly grateful and humbled by this opportunity, and I’m excited to continue working with the dedicated team here at the City of Pensacola,” Fiddler said. “I look forward to working with Mayor Robinson to build on the momentum we’ve already established and continue to move our city forward.”
Born in Miami, Fiddler has worked for local government throughout the state since he began his career. As the Public Works and Engineering Director for the City of Kissimmee, Fiddler managed a department with 105 employees and a budget of over $40 million.
In his role as Deputy City Administrator for the City of Pensacola, Fiddler’s responsibilities include oversight of Parks & Recreation, Constituent & Neighborhood Services, Inspection Services and Planning & Zoning, in addition to Public Works, CRA and Economic Development.
Fiddler is also a Certified General Contractor, Certified Roofing Contractor, Certified Plumbing Contractor, Certified Floodplain Manager, and a Qualified Stormwater Inspector.
Mayor Grover Robinson expressed his excitement for Kerrith to get started in his new role with the City.
“Change is inevitable for any organization, but I am proud of the leadership team we have built at the City of Pensacola to help make these kinds of transitions as smooth as possible,” Mayor Robinson said. “I am confident that Kerrith’s wealth of knowledge and insight from his years of experience in local government, along with his experience here at the City of Pensacola, make him the perfect fit to lead our organization as the next City Administrator.”
