Jim Marquardt recently announced his candidacy for the Key West Utility Board, Seat A, saying he is committed to enhancing the utility services in Key West and the Lower Keys.
With a focus on sustainable energy and infrastructure improvements, Marquardt brings innovative strategies and a deep understanding of local needs. His campaign centers around transparency, community engagement and cost-effective solutions to ensure a brighter, more efficient future for all residents, states a press release announcing his candidacy.
Seat A on the Key West Utility Board is currently held by Mona Clark, who is seeking reelection. Clark has served on the board since 2004. There are no term limits for the utility board.
Key West Utility Board members earn an annual salary. As of early 2024, the board chair made around $28,000 and other members earned about $24,520, plus full health insurance while they’re on the board. The board members are expected to attend an average of one meeting per month.
Meet Jim Marquardt
Marquardt has called Key West home since 1999. He is married and owns a home that is 100% solar powered. He is vice chair of inns on the the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West’s board of directors. He is a board member of the Key West Attractions Association and a family member of the Key West Business Guild.
As general manager of the Gardens Hotel, Marquardt has positioned the hotel to be named within the Top 4 Small Luxury Boutique Hotels in the U.S. by TripAdvisor and among the Top 10 of Small Luxury Boutique Hotels in the world by TripAdvisor 2025. He was named general manager of the year by the Lodging Association of the Florida Keys and Key West.
Marquardt is a graduate of Leadership Monroe Class 30. He is also a graduate of the City of Key West Ambassadors Academy.
Originally from Arizona, Marquardt graduated from NAU with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications management and has produced and directed for ABC, NBC and the Signal Companies, traveling extensively domestically and internationally.
Prior to moving to Key West, he was an executive director of commercial broadcast copyright licensing for ASCAP in New York.
About Keys Energy & the Key West Utility Board
Keys Energy Services (KEYS) is the public power utility for the Lower Florida Keys. Headquartered in Key West, KEYS provides electricity from Key West to the Seven-Mile Bridge and serves more than 28,000 customers.
The city of Key West purchased the electric utility in 1943, and the city commission created the utility board to oversee KEYS ( known as City Electric System before the utility’s name was changed in 2002). In 1969, the Florida Legislature passed a new enabling act for the governing of KEYS, which is still in effect today and calls for the popular election of five utility board members serving four-year terms. Through the utility board, KEYS’ customers have a say in their municipal electric utility.
