Teri Johnston, the outgoing mayor of Key West is among the applicants for the newly devised Monroe County Tourist Development Council president/CEO position, saying she has the skills and experience for the leadership position created after the TDC failed a series of financial audits and fired its top marketing director.
“I don’t know who else could do it better than me,” Johnston told Keys Weekly on Friday. “I have my finger on the pulse of the citizens of Key West. I have the skill set.”
Johnston chose not to seek another term as mayor. She could have served one final 2-year term.
Dee Dee Henriquez was elected Key West mayor this month after running uncontested.
“It was just time,” Johnston said, of her decision.
Johnston noted she has been managing businesses for 45 years, including at her current contractor business in Key West and earlier in her career she worked in marketing, which included traveling internationally.
The TDC president/CEO job’s salary range is $210,000 to $250,000. In addition to a list of responsibilities, the 8-page job description, put together by the SearchGlobal recruiting firm, lists a number of personal characteristics wanted in a candidate.
“I’ve been in Key West politics for 14 years,” Johnston said. “That’s probably the thing people appreciate about me the most is I’m transparent. I’ll call a spade a spade. When we’re doing something wrong, I point it out. When we’re doing something right, I give praise.”
The selection committee appointed by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners began a 1 p.m. meeting Friday at the Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Highway. The meeting is available on Zoom and by phone.
Here’s how to watch remotely:
https://mcbocc.zoom.us/j/83300176016
Or telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 646 518 9805 or +1 669 900 6833
Webinar ID: 833 0017 6016
