DARNELL SMITH TO RETURN AS MAYOR DEEGAN’S CHIEF OF STAFF
Mayor Donna Deegan is announcing today that Darnell Smith will serve as Chief of Staff starting on August 10, 2026. He previously served as Chief of Staff in 2024 and Co-Chair of her transition team in 2023.
Earlier this year, Darnell retired from Florida Blue where he served as North Florida Market President and was responsible for market growth and community involvement across 36 North Florida counties. Over his more than 30 years with Florida Blue, Smith led teams with thousands of people that have reached millions of customers.
Smith has also been a longstanding community leader, serving on boards of the Sulzbacher Center, Cathedral Arts Project, First Coast YMCA, LIFT JAX, JAX Chamber, JAXUSA Policy Council, United Way of Northeast Florida, A.L. Lewis Black Opportunity and Impact Fund, and Blue Zones Jacksonville.
“Darnell is the rare type of leader who brings decades of executive experience combined with genuine humility and an unending desire to help people,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “Jacksonville is a city on the rise, and we’ll only climb higher with Darnell returning to lead our talented team.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our city and building on the momentum that Mayor Deegan has created,” said Chief of Staff Darnell Smith. “It’s an honor to be part of a team that is working to make Jacksonville safer, healthier, and more affordable for everyone.”