Pasco County has elevated one of its own staff members to serve as the next assistant county administrator for public infrastructure.
The Pasco County Commission on Jan. 24 confirmed the appointment of Branford N. Adumuah to fill the position, which he has been handling on an interim basis for six months.
County Administrator Mike Carballa recommended Adumuah for the promotion.
Carballa said the county conducted a national search. A series of interviews was conducted with county team members at all levels, before a selection was made.
“I’m happy to say that the general consensus was Mr. Adumuah was the man for the job,” Carballa told the board.
Adumuah joined the county in 2017, as its public works director.
In that role, Carballa said, Adumuah “has made sweeping, amazing changes to really help that department achieve the outcomes that we all need and that our citizens deserve.”
Adumuah is filling the post that Carballa held before being promoted to become county administrator.
Commission Chairman Jack Mariano said he’s glad to see the county is developing its own employees to enable them to rise through the ranks.
He congratulated Adumuah, saying: “The way you’ve elevated your team, empowered your team to get stuff done, all of the way through. No matter what the situation, you’ve been doing a phenomenal job.”
Commissioner Gary Bradford added: ““I am very, very pleased that we kept it in-house, because it is about our employees. It is about how we move up the chain.”
Commissioner Ron Oakley said he’s pleased how quickly Adumuah takes care of problems.
“When you call in about a pothole, within a day or two, it’s already filled. It seems like a little thing, but it’s huge. I remember going through many, many years of going through potholes that didn’t get fixed,” Oakley said.
When commissioners asked Adumuah if he’d like to say a few words, he stepped up to the podium and noted that his wife had told him he should say something.
He then proceeded to read a short speech on his cellphone that he’d apparently prepared, in case the occasion arose.
“It is indeed a privilege and an honor to stand before you today,” he told board members. “My presence here today would not have been possible without the dedication, hard work and support of our great team — field personnel, office employees, supervisors, managers, directors, assistant county administrators.
“Making a difference in the quality of life of our citizens is what motivates me every day.
“Integrity, respect, empathy, people, teamwork, pragmatism and outcomes are what define my leadership and shape my decisions and actions for the past 30 years.
“Together with the team, we’ll continue to move toward improving the quality of life for our citizens and making Pasco a premiere county.
“I thank you, county administrator and the team, for their confidence and trust they’ve placed in me. I pledge to work hard and do my best. I will not let you down.”
Published February 08, 2023
