Longtime Rockledge City Manager Jim McKnight Selected As New Cocoa Beach City Manager

'leader that Cocoa Beach needs'

ABOVE VIDEO: Longtime Rockledge City Manager Jim McKnight has been selected as the new city manager for the City of Cocoa Beach. In May, McKnight was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award  during the 2016 Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Induction. 

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – Longtime Rockledge City Manager Jim McKnight has been selected as the new city manager for the City of Cocoa Beach.

McKnight will assume his new duties in January 2017 after he concludes his employment with the City of Rockledge. He is currently in the Deferred Option Retirement Plan with the City of Rockledge and will be leaving at the end of the calendar year.

Cocoa Beach went through a vetting process to select a new city manager.

“During the interview process, everyone I spoke to gave resounding praise on not only his accomplishments, but about how in touch and open he is with the residents and staff of the community,” said Cocoa Beach Mayor Tim Tumulty when asked about McKnight’s hiring.

“The fact that he has been Rockledge’s city manager for 31 years is very telling of his loyalty and dedication to not just Rockledge, but all of Brevard County. I see Jim being the leader that Cocoa Beach needs to give our excellent city staff direction and take the city to the next level.”

McKnight is the longest serving city manager in the history of Brevard County. After completing his education, he worked for four years with Brevard County in the Planning and Development Division.

One of his major assignments was completing the Open Space and Recreation Element for the 1981 Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Board of County Commissioners.

After two years with the City of Cocoa as the community development administrator, he was selected to become the city manager of the City of Rockledge in April 1986 – the second of only two in the city’s history.

Rockledge Community Advocate Steve Wilson said that McKnight will be sorely missed.

“He is the kind of manager that makes you want to perform to the best of your abilities,” said Wilson.

“He allows you the freedom to do your job, but he also holds you accountable. Cocoa Beach is getting not only a very strong leader, but a really good person.”

According to Rockledge Mayor Tom Price, “Jim has done a tremendous job as city manager over the past 30 years. He will bring his experience and wealth of knowledge to his new position and we wish him well in his new endeavor. Although he will be missed, we know that with change comes new opportunities and we embrace the process of choosing our new management and moving forward with future of the City of Rockledge.”

McKnight praised the City of Rockledge’s employees commitment to provide quality service.

“I have been truly privileged to serve as Rockledge city manager over the last 30 years with very community- minded elected officials,” said McKnight when asked about his time with the City of Rockledge.

“The commitment to provide quality service by all the employees has been amazing to be a part of! I look forward to finishing 2016 strong and handing over the reins to a new generation of leaders. The city will be in good hands.

“As for the opportunity to serve the Cocoa Beach community, I am honored to provide leadership to the employees who make this city very special. It is important to collaborate to carry the incredible history of this city forward and achieve the future we all know Cocoa Beach has the capacity for. Challenges await entering 2017, but the opportunities are even greater.”

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