Key Biscayne Chief of Staff John D. John is out after just six weeks on the job.
Village Manager Steve Williamson told John he was being fired on March 22, according to an email obtained by the Independent through a public records request. John asked that he be allowed to resign, but no such email was received on Monday, records show.
Juan Gutierrez, the Village’s human resources director, wrote to John on Tuesday and said he was terminated.
“We explained that our decision to terminate your employment was based on you not being a right fit and your inability to properly take on tasks assigned to you,” Gutierrez said in the email. The email did not elaborate, and officials did not answer questions about specifics.
Reached Friday morning by phone, John said he had no comment.
John became Key Biscayne’s Chief of Staff during a tumultuous time for the Village. A beloved resident had just died in an e-bike accident on Valentine’s Day. A week later, a longtime gymnastics coach was arrested for sexual battery on two minors. The coach has pleaded not guilty.
The Village offered to pay John two weeks’ severance pay in exchange for a separation agreement, according to the email. Such an agreement usually protects an employer from being sued for wrongful termination.
With a masters degree in business and diplomacy, the U.S. Navy veteran completed three Persian Gulf deployments starting in 2007. He served as commanding officer of the U.S.S. Ross, a guided missile destroyer.
John was hired to replace Jocelyn Moussavou, who left Nov. 27 to take an executive position at Goodwill Industries in Miami after nearly three years on the job. At the time, Williamson said he was sorting through 50 resumes for her replacement.
The chief of staff carries out the manager’s agenda, working as the liaison with department heads to keep projects on track and communicating with Council members.
When asked in an email about the circumstances of John’s departure and who would step up to take on the duties of the vacant position, Williamson said only, “We have a great staff that always rises to the occasion.”
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JOHN PACENTI is the executive editor of the Key Biscayne Independent. John has worked for The Associated Press, the Palm Beach Post, Daily Business Review, and WPTV-TV.