The City of Tampa announces the appointment of Nicole B. Travis to be Administrator of Development and Economic Opportunity, upon the departure of current Administrator Carole Post. Travis will join the administration effective January 24, and Post will work with her for one month to ensure a strategic transition of responsibilities.
Post’s last day as Administrator will be February 25.
Post, who led Mayor Jane Castor's transition team in May 2019, will rejoin the USF administration to head University-wide Facilities and Public Safety Operations. She has been on a two-year leave from USF to serve in the Castor Administration.
"Carole has been an incredible and inspiring force within my administration, providing invaluable knowledge and experience that has helped us reach milestones and pave the way for a brighter future," said Mayor Jane Castor. "While we always knew her time with us was limited, Carole's ambitious and visionary plans quickly turned into reality, as she seamlessly assumed the reins of a large, complex operation that serves thousands of clients and residents every day and helps drive Tampa's economic engine. We are grateful for her dedication to public service and wish her well on her return to USF."
During her time with the City, Post is credited with implementing key critical initiatives, including streamlining the building permitting process to serve nearly 20,000 applicants a year, initiating the new City Planning Department to lead land use policy planning, and developing the $38 million Tampa Convention Center expansion project. She also led the distribution of tens of millions of dollars in COVID relief funds for residents and businesses, managed the City’s COVID construction safety program, and the ‘Lift Up Local’ restaurant relief program. Despite the challenges of COVID during her service, her departments issued development permits for construction valued at nearly $4 Billion and initiated dozens of programs to address affordable housing needs and homelessness.
"It was a great honor to serve in Mayor Castor's administration, which has been making strides since the very beginning," said Post. "I am proud to have built an amazing team that demonstrates tremendous dedication and commitment every day, and continuously advances all five of the Transforming Tampa's Tomorrow strategic initiatives. I could not be prouder of the progress we have made and am eager to see it continue to flourish."
After a thorough and expansive search for her next Administrator, Mayor Castor selected Travis, who has served the City of Lakeland in four different leadership positions of increasing seniority since 2010. Her most recent positions were Deputy City Manager and Director of Community and Economic Development. Travis’ career in the private and public sectors has been marked by success and experience directly aligned with Mayor Castor's Transforming Tampa's Tomorrow strategic initiatives.
Travis was instrumental in establishing and enhancing public-private partnerships resulting in Lakeland’s successful downtown revitalization, city-wide redevelopment, entrepreneurial ecosystem, and master planning for commercial corridors. Under her leadership, policies and programs were developed to address Lakeland’s unique housing challenges. Travis’ expertise and passion for equitable community development solutions significantly increased Lakeland's affordable housing inventory and she is credited for her collaborative leadership and vision that stimulated high caliber economic development and more efficient city services.
“Landing Nicole for this critical position is a big coup for Tampa," said Mayor Castor. "She has the experience, track record, and passion to deliver on our commitment to Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow and ensuring we maintain our momentum while protecting and nourishing what makes our community so special.”
Prior to her leadership roles with the City of Lakeland, Travis began her public service career as an urban designer with the City of Tampa from 2006 to 2009. Her private sector work includes leading numerous projects at architectural firms in Florida and Virginia.
“Tampa is a growing, diverse and innovative city with a thriving future. I am both honored and excited to join Mayor Castor’s administration to help further her vision of Transforming Tampa’s Tomorrow. I look forward to working closely with her leadership team and city staff to ensure Tampa continues on the Mayor’s commitment to provide the highest level of service to residents and the business community,” said Travis.
Travis’ multiple awards include: 2019 Tampa Bay Business Journal Woman of the Year Honoree and the Urban Land Institute Trendsetter Award.
Additional Information: City of Tampa Marketing & Communications media@tampagov.net