The unanimous selection ends a search that lasted almost a year.

OLDSMAR – Al Braithwaite was unanimously selected as the next city manager for Oldsmar during a special city council meeting Thursday (July 20).

Braithwaite, who was serving as the director of administrative services, will replace Bruce Haddock, who has been at the helm for 31 years. The process to replace Haddock took almost a ear.  Braithwaite will begin his new job Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year.

Braithwaite won out over 81 other applicants from across the U.S. Oldsmar City Council members narrowed the list of 82 to 10 finalists. On Thursday, they made their decision.

“I think the council made the right choice,” Haddock said.

Mayor Doug Bevis said, “Al will help with an easy transition after 31 years of Bruce’s leadership. With Al’s leadership as evident by his department, he’s in lockstep with council priorities. He will support council but bring the financial aspect to light in our decisions moving forward.”

With more than 30 years of government employment in Pinellas County, Braithwaite attained his Master of Public Administration from the University of South Florida. He joined the city of Oldsmar in 1999 as finance administrator, and became director of administrative services in 2010.

“I am extremely honored and excited to have received the support during this process from the Council, employees and community,” Braithwaite said. “In continuing Bruce’s legacy, I hope to be able to live up to the challenge of providing the quality of services our residents and businesses have come to expect.”

For information about Oldsmar, go to myoldsmar.com.

Oldsmar | City Manager Chosen | Al Braithwaite | Bruce Haddock | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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