St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch officially appoints Doyle Walsh to chief of staff

ST. PETERSBURG — Mayor Ken Welch’s chief of staff is no longer serving in the interim.

Welch announced Monday that Jordan “Doyle” Walsh is now his permanent chief of staff. Walsh had been serving on an interim basis since Sept. 21, when Welch announced new hires and changes to his Cabinet.

”Doyle is a trusted partner who I rely on heavily for expert guidance, team insight, and thoughtful advice,” Welch said in a statement. “His ability to provide strategic leadership within the Mayor’s Office, connect with City Council, and collaborate with the City Administrator and other departments reflects his breadth of experience working in the Tampa Bay region. Government affairs, communications, and community engagement will prosper under Doyle’s watch, and his extensive knowledge of complex issues and initiatives will result in progress for the people of St. Petersburg.”

Walsh worked as a senior adviser for Welch’s mayoral campaign last year and helped with Welch’s transition to City Hall. He began his tenure in City Hall as a senior adviser, but was named interim chief of staff when Welch made changes to his Cabinet after his deputy mayor resigned over allegations of bullying staff.

Welch did not fill the open deputy mayor position and instead eliminated it, relying on only a chief of staff. Walsh is one of four city officials who report directly to Welch. He earns a salary of $160,000.

“I witness daily Mayor Welch’s dedication and commitment to this City and the people who live, work and visit here,” said Walsh in a statement. “It is a privilege to carry out Mayor’s vision and priorities alongside our incredibly capable team — I look forward to continuing our work to ensure that St. Petersburg is an accessible and equitable community for all.”

Walsh previously spent eight years as an aide to Pinellas County Commissioner Janet C. Long. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida State University and a Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law. He is a member of the Florida Bar.