Following the recent retirement of longtime Emergency Management Director Linda Stoughton, St. Johns County announced Joseph Giammanco as the interim director of Emergency Management this week. Giammanco was named director as the county continues to address the COVID-19 pandemic and is monitoring the 2020 Hurricane Season.
“It was an absolute pleasure and professional joy to work with Linda over the last six months,” said Hunter Conrad, St. Johns County administrator. “St. Johns County was fortunate to have her at the helm over the past several disasters and we all collectively wish her the absolute best in her retirement.”
Giammanco has served as the director of Disaster Recovery and Grants for St. Johns County since 2017, following the impacts of Hurricane Matthew. He retired from the United States Coast Guard as a lieutenant commander in 2016 after more than 23 years of service. Giammanco holds a Master of Business Administration and is a current doctoral student in business administration, specializing in public administration.
In addition, Kelly Wilson was named interim deputy director of Emergency Management. Wilson began her career with St. Johns County in 2006 as an emergency management planner. She was promoted to emergency management coordinator prior to assuming her role as interim deputy director. Previously having served as a planner for the City of Key West, Wilson specializes in comprehensive Emergency Management Planning and Mitigation, and holds a Master of Science degree with a focus in environmental science. Her tenure within the Emergency Management Division and environmental expertise has been instrumental in seeing the county through numerous natural disasters, most recently including Hurricanes Matthew, Irma and Dorian.
