Sanibel welcomes new city manager to community
On behalf of the Sanibel City Council, the city of Sanibel employees, and the citizens of Sanibel, I have the privilege to warmly welcome Mr. Dana Souza as he begins his position as Sanibel City Manager.
Souza was selected for the job out of 96 candidates through an extensive search conducted by Colin Baenziger and Associates, a nationally recognized consulting and municipal recruiting firm.
He has over 35 years of local government experience. Most recently, he was the interim city manager in Naples. He previously held positions in Naples as deputy city manager and community services director. Souza served the city of Greenville, South Carolina, as the parks, recreation, and sustainability director; Marco Island as interim manager and parks & recreation director; city of Portland, Maine, as director of Parks & Recreation; Union, New York, as the director of parks & recreation; and city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, as director of parks, cemeteries and forestry.
His vast knowledge and experience brings immense value to our city. I am confident his leadership skills and managerial talents will create a huge positive impact both within our city campus and throughout our special community.
Since the council’s unanimous support for Souza in the selection process on Sept. 30, he has already been familiarizing himself with many aspects of our city structure and getting to know and respond to the citizens of Sanibel.
We look forward to Souza, wife Kara and family becoming an integral part of this amazing island community.
City Manager Dana Souza can be reached at Dana.souza@mysanibel.com or through the city of Sanibel at 239-472-3700.
Holly D. Smith is mayor of the city of Sanibel.