A search for Islamorada’s next village manager will culminate with the council’s selection among three finalists at a Thursday, April 10 meeting.
Among the candidates are Jennifer DeBoisbriand, the village’s planning director; Ron Saunders, Florida Keys native who served in the Florida House; and Theodore Munchmeyer, Plantation Key resident who’s a former senior military officer.
Mark Sohaney, Key West resident and former Naval Air Station Key West commander, was also in the running for village manager. He withdrew his name, however, before the village council’s April 8 meeting, when candidates were given five minutes to give their final pitch.
Islamorada is seeking to hire its fourth manager in as many years. In January, the council approved a severance-for-resignation agreement with then-manager Rob Cole, who was hired in February 2024 by a previous council following an internal search.
Following Cole’s departure, the village conducted an inhouse search for a village manager using the human resources office to seek and vet candidates. Sixteen applicants, of whom six were Florida residents, expressed interest in the position.
Council members conducted interviews with the four candidates at village hall on March 29; two other Florida candidates were out of the running as they weren’t available for interviews. On April 8, the three finalists were given five minutes each to explain why they would be the perfect fit.
DeBoisbriand was hired as village planning director in December 2022. Before coming to Islamorada, she worked for municipalities in Massachusetts. In total, she’s been in local government for 27 years. She entered public service because she loves helping people.
“As an employee of the village, I am familiar with many issues the village faces moving forward,” she said. “The transition would be seamless with no added delays, which is why I feel I’m the best candidate.”
Munchmeyer has lived in Islamorada for the past 14 years. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 26 years before retiring as colonel. He worked at the Homestead Air Reserve Base, where he oversaw the fire department explosive ordnance, emergency management and public works. He said Islamorada is thriving with “good problems” to tackle together.
“I know traffic is the number one thing. I looked at the charrette, I agree with you. People want to come here, people want to live, people want to see, people want to spend a week or two,” he said. “While we have five council members leading us, I want to lead the team to make sure people who have time in Islamorada, whether short or long, enjoy it.”
Saunders served in the Florida House of Representatives for 14 years, representing all of Monroe County and parts of Miami-Dade County. During his time at the state capital, he sponsored and passed the Save Our Homes cap on homestead property value assessments as well as the first Everglades Protection Act and the Save the Manatee license plate. He chaired the House Appropriations Committee in charge of a multibillion-dollar state budget.
If selected, Saunders told council members, he would give staff members the opportunity to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities, while ensuring Islamorada maintains its unique style and quality of life. He noted his relationships with officials throughout the Keys from his days as a representative to his time as a radio host.
A public meet-and-greet with the finalists was held on April 9 at the Ron Levy Aquatic Center at Founders Park. The final item on the council’s Thursday, April 10 meeting agenda is the manager selection.
