Randy Wyse nominated for JEA Board opening

Jacksonville City Council President Kevin Carrico is looking to bring in a fire union head to help put out the fires at the city’s utility.

Carrico announced the nomination of former Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters President Randy Wyse to join the JEA Board of Directors.

“Randy Wyse is a proven leader who has dedicated his life to public service, both in uniform and in leadership roles advocating for Jacksonville’s firefighters and their families,” Carrico said. “Over more than three decades with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, Randy advanced through the ranks and eventually served as President of the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters Local 122, where he was re-elected by his peers multiple times — a testament to the respect he commands, and the trust placed in him by his colleagues.”

“In that capacity,” Carrico added, “Randy has balanced organizational leadership with a commitment to fiscal responsibility, negotiation, and accountability. That blend of operational insight and institutional experience is exactly what Jacksonville needs on the JEA Board — to bring stability to our utility, ensure the utmost transparency, fight for lower rates and remain focused on serving the people.”

Wyse said it was a “deep honor” to be nominated.

“Throughout my 32-year career with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and in my union leadership roles, my focus has always been clear: serve the community faithfully, advocate for transparency and accountability, and work collaboratively to solve complex problems,” Wyse said.

“If confirmed, I will bring that same ethic to the JEA Board — ensuring that the voices of residents, workers, and ratepayers are heard, respected, and reflected in the decisions that impact our city’s future.”

Wyse’s nomination is likely to be less controversial than the process surrounding Carrico’s previous pick, his boss at his day job who has withdrawn himself from consideration after the kerfuffle.

Last month, Carrico reached out to JEA Board member Arthur Adams Jr. to urge him to step down, saying that he owed a “big favor” to his intended appointee, the CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, Paul Martinez.

The outcry has led to an investigation from the 4th Circuit State Attorney’s Office, with communications sought between Carrico and Board members, former JEA Chief of Staff Kurtis Wilson, and Martinez relating to a potential Board appointment. Additionally, any other communication with words like “JEA,” “Board appointment,” and “lobbying contract” are also part of the request.