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Redington Shores appoints Margaret Carey as town administrator after special meeting
Summary
At a special July 16 meeting, the Redington Shores Board of Commissioners appointed acting Town Administrator Margaret Carey following interviews with three finalists and multiple public endorsements; the transcript records the motion passed but does not include a vote tally.
Margaret Carey, who had been serving as acting town administrator, was appointed Town Administrator by the Redington Shores Board of Commissioners at a special meeting on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Carey presented a handout summarizing her accomplishments and plans and told commissioners she has more than 18 years of municipal experience across four towns in three states. She said she led hurricane-response operations in Redington Shores during Hurricanes Helene and Milton and that, in her three months as acting administrator, she had secured more than $6 million in resources for the town.
The interviews also featured two other finalists. Matthew Spuck participated by Zoom from Virginia, outlined his leadership and project-management experience and said he owns a bed-and-breakfast that he would need to sell to relocate; he told commissioners he does not have prior hurricane-response experience but has applied for FEMA grants in the past. Joanne “Cookie” Kennedy described her time as mayor of Indian Rocks Beach, recent completion of studies at St. Petersburg College, service as chair with Forward Pinellas and experience lobbying for beach nourishment easements and red-tide responses.
During the public-comment period, six speakers who submitted letters or spoke in person endorsed Margaret Carey, saying she has brought stability and strong work ethic to the town. Public Works Supervisor Mike Pafumi, who said he has worked for the town for about 4.5 years, told commissioners he observed two previous administrators who did not accomplish as much as Carey and that she had provided steady leadership during storms. The record shows the board received 13 emails in favor of Carey.
After discussion, Commissioner CJ Hoyt moved to appoint Margaret Carey as Town Administrator; Vice Mayor Erin Schoos seconded. The motion passed, but the transcript does not record a roll-call vote or tally.
The special meeting convened at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
