Panama City CRA approves newest Executive Director

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - The Panama City CRA approved its newest Executive Director on Tuesday.

CRA stands for Community Redevelopment Agency, and in Panama City, they’re tasked with infrastructure improvements, attracting new businesses, and rebuilding downtrodden areas.

Jonathan Hayes is a Panama City native who took over as city manager last month, and on Tuesday, he added a new title and responsibility.

He says he’s excited to continue to work on improving an area that means so much to him.

“This is a place where my family has been for almost 100 years. I look forward to continuing to work with such a great group of men and women and elected officials to continue to recover our city and set it up for generations to come,” Hayes said.

Hayes becomes the first full-time Executive Director of the Panama City CRA since Michael Johnson was arrested for embezzling CRA money back in October 2022.

“Revitalizing and energizing your downtown is so critical for any city, but especially when it’s recovering from the catastrophe of Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Sally as we seek to rebuild,” said Hayes.

Since Johnson’s ouster, Mark McQueen and Brandy Waldron served as interim Executive Directors.

McQueen left city management to become the superintendent of Bay District Schools in August 2023.

On Tuesday, Waldron was appointed Deputy Executive Director, a new position in the agency.

“I think this is a really good setup to provide accountability. So, in my role as Executive Director, and Ms. Waldron as Deputy Executive Director, we both report to the board to this end,” Hayes said.

Hayes says it’s a good system of checks and balances that have been put in place to make sure that everything stays above board.

“I wanted Ms. Waldron to be empowered, both practically and with the title to have that authority and oversight of the day-to-day operation of the CRA. Moving forward, we will continue to operate above reproach, and continue to be good stewards with that which we’ve been entrusted with,” said Hayes.