James Clinch named new Venice City Manager
Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC
COV
In a unanimous vote Wednesday, Venice City Council selected current Assistant City Manager James Clinch to be the next Venice City Manager.
Clinch will succeed current City Manager Ed Lavallee, who retires Aug. 4 after more than 13 years with the City and a 50-year career in public service.
Clinch, 41, has worked for the City of Venice since 2012. He was hired as a Stormwater Engineer and quickly progressed through the organization, becoming Assistant City Engineer and then Director of Public Works and Asset Management. Clinch has participated in almost every capital project in Venice over the past 10 years. He has been Assistant City Manager since 2021.
The selection of Clinch as the new City Manager came Wednesday following a sixth-month process. After a nationwide search, executive recruitment firm Colin Baenziger & Associates received 62 resumes and narrowed the field to the eventual 6 candidates. All 6 underwent an immersive 3-day interview process this week that included one-on-one interviews with the Mayor and Council Members, a tour of select City facilities, an evening community reception with the public, and final interviews streamed live during Wednesday’s special meeting. After a brief deliberation, Mayor Nick Pachota nominated Clinch, followed by the 7-0 vote.
“Our City is such an amazing place to live, work and play, as identified by all the candidates for City Manager in the recent process,” Pachota said. “I am excited for Mr. Clinch as he enters the next phase of his career with the unanimous support of Council, and I’m delighted to work with him as we all continue to move our City forward in the positive direction that Mr. Lavallee has worked so hard to lay the groundwork for.
“As we begin the transition, Mr. Clinch’s contract will be negotiated and he will assume his new role on Aug. 4.”
“I am incredibly honored to be selected as the next City Manager for the City of Venice,” Clinch said. “I’d like to thank our Mayor and City Council for placing their trust and confidence in my ability to lead our City into the future. I look forward to building upon the incredible legacy of Ed Lavallee and working with our dedicated and talented team of City professionals. It is the greatest privilege of my career to continue serving this amazing community that I call home.”
Clinch grew up in the area and is a 2001 graduate of Venice High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in public administration from Florida Gulf Coast University. He and his wife, Casey, have been married for 18 years and have 4 children.
