Congratulations to Gene Strickland for 50 years of membership in FCCMA!
His story began in a barber’s chair in 1964. His barber, Smitty, was a City Commissioner City of Daytona Beach. He had graduated from FSU and completed his Army Reserve active duty obligation. He was working an indoor finance job for General Electric but was not happy in his position. Smitty said “you need to get into city management” and introduced him to Daytona Beach City Manager, Norman Hickey. Norman was a true professional and graduate of Fels Institute. He told him about the good parts of being a city manager and recommended that he go back to school — so he went to Fels. The rest is history…
1964 —- Fels Institute of Local and State Government 1965 —- Internship and administrative assistant City of Miami — Merrett Stierheim was hia supervisor
1966 —- Assistant City Manager City of Lakeland —- Bob Youkey was City Manager
1985 —- City Manager
2000 — Retired
Gene will tell you without hesitation that his experience as a city administrator was positive and meaningful just as Norman Hickey described 52 years ago. He wishes that all of those in the profession today have a similar experience.
