BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Scott Kornegay will be Bradford County’s new manager pending approval of a contract.
County commissioners were enthusiastic about their top two choices, not that they all agreed who the top two were. Kornegay was a top choice for them all and appeals for unity made the vote to extend an offer to Kornegay a unanimous decision.
Kornegay and his wife, Diane — the superintendent of Lake County Schools — moved to Bradford County full time in 2004 and live in the Lake Santa Fe area. He became city manager for Keystone Heights until he retired from the position, and now serves as executive director of the Lake Region Development Corporation. He is also a member of the Keystone Airport Authority and Lake Region Rotary Club,
His experience includes making connections with government, business and community leaders at multiple levels, and his ability to communicate and build relationships were an important part of his pitch to commissioners. He also holds a master’s degree in public administration, is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Florida Air National Guard, and worked for Jacksonville Fire Rescue for more than 20 years.
Commissioners considered it a difficult choice only because the candidates were all high quality. In the end, it was Kornegay’s local involvement that put him over the top. Commissioners who don’t know him personally or professionally at least know of him by reputation.
Hamilton County Coordinator Louie Goodin was also a top choice of most commissioners.
