Joy Andrews Named New St. Johns County Administrator

After a nationwide search for a new county administrator, St. Johns County commissioners decided there was no place like home when it came to making their choice.

Joy Andrews has been named county administrator, replacing Hunter Conrad. Andrews served as deputy county administrator for the past seven years and has been with St. Johns County for the past 17 years.

Andrews has led a wide range of departments such as Growth Management, Economic Development, Tourism Development, Health and Human Services, Fire Rescue, Arts and Culture, Grants and Legislative Affairs, Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery, Coastal Management, Public Library System, Parks and Recreation, and Community Redevelopment. Ahe earned a master’s degree in public administration from Kansas State University and a Bachelor of Laws in International Commerce and Trade Law from Nanjing University School of Law.

Andrews was one of four finalists interviewed for the position. Other candidates included Sarah Campbell, town manager for Orange Park, Florida; James Doar, county administrator for Gallatin County, Montana; and James Harriott, Director of Engineering – Transportation for Causseaux, Hewitt, and Walpole, Inc. Professional Consultants.

The county hired GovHR USA, a government recruitment and management consulting firm to conduct the national search. Andrews was chosen from an initial pool of 105 applicants which was narrowed to 12 by GovHR USA. After review by a selection committee comprised of public officials and a community representative, the list was further narrowed to five who were interviewed via Zoom.

Contract details for Andrews are still being worked out and the final contract is pending approval by the Board of County Commissioners.