By: Tom Derzypolski
The resignation of Reese Goad marks a pivotal moment for our city—one that should not be rushed, managed quietly, or decided behind closed doors. Instead, it presents a rare and urgent opportunity for the City Commission to reset expectations and pursue bold, transparent leadership by conducting a true national search for Tallahassee’s next city manager.
Our community deserves nothing less.
Tallahassee is not a small town with small-town challenges. We are a capital city with growing complexity, competing priorities, and enormous untapped potential. The decisions made in the coming months will shape our trajectory for years to come. That is precisely why settling for a quick internal appointment or a limited regional search would be a mistake. We should cast a wide net across the country to attract the most qualified, experienced, and visionary candidates available.
But this is about more than credentials—it is about leadership style and governance. Tallahassee needs a city manager who can work effectively with the entire City Commission, not just a simple majority of three members. I fear existing staff have been exposed to the 3/2 tension that the residents of Tallahassee are tired of. Durable progress does not come from narrow coalitions; it comes from collaboration, trust-building, and a commitment to shared goals. Our next manager must be someone capable of uniting divergent perspectives into a coherent vision for the city.
The stakes are too high to accept anything less.
We face pressing challenges that demand seasoned leadership. Affordable housing continues to slip out of reach for too many residents. Public safety concerns—particularly around crime—require thoughtful, data-driven strategies and strong coordination across agencies. At the same time, we are presented with transformative opportunities. Strategic economic development can diversify our economy and create upward mobility. The emergence of the FSU Academic Medical Center signals a new era of growth, innovation, and regional influence—but only if guided by someone with the experience to harness its full potential.
These are not routine management tasks. They require a leader who has navigated complexity at scale, who understands how to align policy with execution, and who can inspire confidence both inside City Hall and across the community.
A national search is not just a procedural step—it is a statement of values. It signals that Tallahassee is serious about excellence, committed to transparency, and determined to find the best person for the job, wherever they may be.
The City Commission should embrace this moment with the seriousness it demands. Engage the public. Define the qualities we need. And then look far and wide to find a leader who can bring this city together and move it forward.
Tallahassee deserves a city manager chosen not for convenience, but for capability. Not for alignment with a faction, but for commitment to the whole community.
Tallahassee doesn’t need safe. Tallahassee needs bold leadership. This is our moment to get it right.
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