According to the City Clerk's office Ronald P. "Ron" Russo dropped out as a candidate for the city manager position on June 27.
That narrows the field to 11 candidates with eight more days remaining for people to apply for the position.
Russo, Inspector General, United States Capitol Police, Washington, from January 2023 - Present. The Inspector General reports directly to the Capitol Police Board, and heads the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The OIG supervises and conducts audits, inspections, and investigations involving USCP programs, functions, systems, and operations.
According to the OIG website, Russo is a career law enforcement professional with more than 32 years of public service in state and local government. He served as the Inspector General for the Florida Department of Agriculture, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Russo also served in various law enforcement leadership positions at the St. Petersburg Beach Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Department of Motor Carrier Compliance.
Russo led the Protective Operations Section responsible for the security of Florida’s Governor and First Family, ushering in new protocols after the events of September 11, 2001. In addition to having a substantial background in performing audits and investigations, Russo also served as the Deputy County Manager for one of Florida’s fastest growing counties where he oversaw the Departments of Public Works, Environmental Services, Parks and Trails, Housing and Human Services, Veteran Affairs, Library Services, Transit Services, Probation, Facilities Management, Fleet Management, and Legislative Affairs. Additionally, while serving as a state agency Deputy Secretary, he led the Divisions of Education and Testing, Regulation, Real Estate, Certified Public Accountancy, Florida State Boxing Commission, and the Office of External Affairs.