December Member Profile

By Amanda Millirons, Public Works Division Manager, City of Palm Bay 

Jim McKnight, City Manager, City of Rockledge 

FCCMA member since: 1986

ICMA member since: 1986 

Current Occupation:  City Manager since April 16, 1986 

Brief Job Description: Direct daily operations of City Government, 239 employees, $25 million budget 

How did you become interested in public service: During my undergraduate days at Troy University, my Demography professor, Nick D’Andrea, discussed the opportunities and challenges of city planning with me.  As a result, I was awarded a graduate assistant position at the University of Southern Mississippi where I was fortunate to have graduate professors who emphasized the application side of education and got me involved in city government in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.          

Advanced Education:  Graduate of Rockledge High School, 1974; Valencia Community College, A. S., 1976; Troy University, B. S., 1978; University of Southern Mississippi, M. S., 1981. 

Describe your typical day:  There really is not a typical day.  While I have a schedule, it tends to change based on phone calls, citizen visits, projects, etc.  The only thing typical is that I usually get my first cup of coffee every day.  After that, all bets are off. 

Favorite part of job:  Helping a citizen solve a problem. 

Least favorite part of the job:  Terminating an employee.           

Most memorable experience so far:  The flood of October 1989 when we received 14 inches of rain over a 10 hour period.  Flooded streets everywhere – some subdivisions were not accessible for up to 72 hours.  Since that time, we have adopted a stormwater utility and adopted a plan that has been substantially implemented.  When Tropical Storm Fay decided to make Brevard County home for about 4 days in August 2008, we had minimal street flooding while the rest of the County was swimming in water.  It reflected a City Council policy decision to move forward in the best interests of the citizens.   

The second most memorable experience was opening up a new 80-acre park in 2001 (the Community Park of Rockledge).  

I noted that you are a native of the City you serve.  Do you think that this gives you a different insight as the Manager rather than someone not from the area?  As a resident of Rockledge since age three (except when I was away at college), I do have a better insight to the community and our citizens.  People know me and realize if they have a problem, they can talk to me.  If they call, they know a return call will occur within 24 hours.  The community has given me many opportunities growing up, and my service as City Manager is an avenue to give back.  Professionalism is still required, but I am also accessible and believe being immersed in the community is beneficial.  This is my hometown and always will be.  I am a blessed man. 

Hobbies and interests:  My hobby is playing golf, but I am also a diehard college football fan as I played at Troy University in 1976 and 1977.  But truly I have been an Alabama Crimson Tide fan since I was a young boy – Roll Tide! 

If you could give one piece of advice to young professionals interested in a career in public service, what would it be?  My advice to young professionals interested in a career in public service is to get involved and learn what it really means.  Watch and listen – while it is important to learn what to do, it is equally important to learn what not to do.  Practical applications of what you learn out of a book are required.  Finally, remember that you achieve and accomplish more as a TEAM!  I have been blessed with a wonderful staff my entire career.   

Who were your mentors and how have you disseminated this information down to other young public administrators?  I didn’t really have a mentor.  However, now U. S. Congressman Bill Posey always gave me good advice and encouragement as a young manager.  However, in my first year as City Manager, Howard Tipton, Sr. gave me some advice – he told me to watch for 12 months – learn, and make changes slowly.  It really worked well for me.  Also, Mike Crotty, City Manager of Satellite Beach, has been a great friend and always a model of high ethical standards and integrity. 

Have you always been in the public sector and have you had experience in the private sector?  My entire career has been in the public sector. 

What career would you pick if you were to pick another?  If I had picked another career, it would have been as a college football coach or a sports broadcaster.