DeVann Cook has resigned as Santa Rosa County Administrator
In something of a surprising move, Santa Rosa County Administrator DeVann Cook on Monday turned in a letter of resignation.
Cook had individually notified commissioners of his decision to step down late last week, according to Commissioner Colten Wright, and made the move official Monday afternoon by turning in a letter of resignation.
"Please accept this letter as my notice of resignation. With your approval my last day as county administrator will be May 21. My request would be to work through April 30 and use my accrual leave for the remainder of the time," it said. "This will afford you the time to look for a replacement and allow a smooth transition for staff."
Cook was the county's risk management director in August of 2021 when he was chosen to serve as interim county administrator following the resignation of Dan Schebler. In his resignation letter Cook thanked the county "for allowing me the opportunity to have such a rewarding career."
"I have worked here since 1978, and it's a good place to work," Cook told the Pensacola News Journal Monday. "Even with the trials and tribulations that have come with it. We've got a great staff and we've done a good job and I'm pleased with that."
Asked if anything specific had led to his resignation, Cook said no, that he had been considering the prospect of stepping down for some time.
Cook began his career with Santa Rosa County as the director of Emergency Management Services. In 1985 he became the county's safety director before taking on the duties of risk management and human resources director.
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After Schebler announced his decision to step down amidst controversy and turmoil, he named Brad Baker, who is now the county's assistant administrator, to be interim county administrator. Later, the county would put Cook in the position. Cook said he and Baker have worked together since to provide stability for the board of commissioners and boost the morale of county staff.
"I feel Brad would be the logical choice for (his) job, but that's up to the board," Cook said. "Brad and I will be working on a transition plan for the next few months."
Wright said that he was aware Cook had been considering retirement, and even laid out a potential timeline, but "apparently accelerated what he had originally planned."
"It's unfortunate and untimely," he said of the resignation. "But this too shall pass."
"We'll rally and overcome and move forward," he added.
Commissioner Kerry Smith, who was not on the county board when Schebler left but was active in the community, credited Cook with having brought leadership "in a time of great controversy."
"He was, bar none, the best solution to a bad problem. DeVann came in with Brad at his side and righted the ship. He's got a heck of a legacy, that's for sure," he said. "I tried to talk him into staying, but he thought it was his time to go. We're going to miss him."
Smith said that while "DeVann is a gentleman, and wouldn't say anything," he is hopeful that recent comments made by "some of the members of the board" at the last two meetings of the commission hadn't led Cook to make the decision to step down.
Smith did not specify, but at the Feb. 5 commission meeting Commission Chairman Sam Parker disparaged "an entire political party that seems to be anti-biblical values." Then the following Thursday, when called out, he defended the comments as expressing a religious belief.
He also, from the commission dais, said a female county employee in the room was not just sitting there as "eye candy," though he later said he intended the remark as – and the employee took it as – a compliment on her work effort.
In a statement sent via text Monday evening, Parker wrote, "Devann and I have had conversations with Brad Baker since last year about Devann’s plans to retire this year. Devann has done a good job and I am thankful for his service to our county. Brad Baker has my full support to become the next county administrator."
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Santa Rosa County Administrator DeVann Cook submits resignation
