Vickie Cavey is retiring from JEA as CEO after determining it is the "right decision for myself, my family and for JEA."
Jody Brooks will continue as interim CEO as she has since Cavey asked July 28 to go on extended leave. Cavey's effective retirement date will be Sept. 25.
"JEA is grateful for her leadership, dedication, and the many contributions she has made throughout her remarkable career with the organization," JEA spokesman Myers Vasquez said.
Cavey's departure after two years as CEO continues the revolving door at JEA for the post where six people have filled the position on a regular or interim basis since 2018.
Cavey wrote in a Sept. 1 letter to board Chair MG Orender she will "make every effort possible to work with the board and the executive
leadership team to ensure a smooth and orderly transition of responsibilities."
"Thank you to this board for your service and leadership as well as your confidence in the JEA staff," Cavey wrote. "JEA's dedicated employees and talented leadership will continue to move the organization forward with a steadfast commitment to excellent service for our customers and our community."
Vasquez said Brooks will be interim CEO until the board convenes in a special meeting to discuss next steps for the position.
"During this time, JEA's strategy and day‑to‑day operations will remain unchanged," Vasquez said. "The leadership team remains focused on delivering reliable service to customers and supporting JEA employees across the organization."
Cavey has decades of experience at JEA. She began as a mechanical engineer and worked 32 years at the utility before retiring in 2016. She returned in 2020 to work for interim CEO Paul McElroy until the board hired Jay Stowe as CEO. She came out of retirement a second time in 2024 when the board made her CEO after Stowe stepped down.
Others who have filled the CEO post since 2018 are Aaron Zahn as regular CEO and Melissa Dykes as interim CEO.
Most JEA board members said after Cavey went on extended leave they retained confidence in her leadership and the decision on whether to resume her work as CEO would be entirely up to her. The exception was board member Rick Morales who said an investigation by an outside attorney of Cavey's leadership style did not alleviate concerns he heard from JEA employees when he privately asked her to resign in February.
City Council member Kevin Carrico, who launched a special investigatory committee of JEA when he was council president, said Cavey's retirement vindicates the committee.
"I wish her well but I don't regret asking a single question," Carrico said in a post on X. "JEA employees deserved to be heard and accountability always outlives the political noise."
Mayor Donna Deegan praised Cavey for her JEA career.
"Jacksonville owes Vickie a debt of gratitude for her many decades of exemplary service," Deegan said in a statement. "I'm sending my best wishes and prayers to her and her family. The city of Jacksonville looks forward to working with JEA and its board as we all move forward together."
"If the results of the two recent independent surveys of JEA employees are any indication, Vickie Cavey will be deeply missed," City Council President Nick Howland said. "I thank her for service and wish her every success in her next endeavor."
He said the next CEO should be "laser-focused on the mission that matters most — providing Jacksonville families and businesses with reliable, high-quality water, sewer and electric services at the lowest possible rates."
"Wish Ms. Cavey well in the future," City Council member Rory Diamond said on X. "JEA is a critical service for our residents, and I hope future leadership will do everything they can to stabilize or reduce rates."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Vickie Cavey's extended leave becomes retirement as JEA CEO
