The Fort Lauderdale City Commission has unanimously appointed Rickelle Williams as the city’s new City Manager, effective April 2, 2025. Williams brings extensive experience in municipal administration, economic development, and community revitalization to her new role.
Prior to this appointment, Williams served as Assistant City Manager for Miami Beach, where she oversaw operations of the Miami Beach Convention Center, managed two community redevelopment agencies, and supervised key departments including Economic Development, Housing & Community Services, Parking, Planning & Zoning, Transportation & Mobility, and Tourism & Culture. Her tenure also included a period as Interim City Manager, during which she managed over 2,200 employees and had direct oversight of the Police, Fire, and Finance departments.
Williams’ career includes leadership roles such as Executive Director at the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency and Economic Development Manager at the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust. Her expertise encompasses infrastructure projects, affordable housing initiatives, public safety enhancements, and growth management strategies.
Educationally, Williams holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a graduate certificate in Community Development from Florida International University, as well as a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Florida.
Mayor Dean Trantalis expressed enthusiasm about Williams joining the leadership team, stating, “She is an energetic and dynamic addition… who comes in with fresh perspective as well as a wealth of experience in dealing with issues of great importance to our community.”
Williams herself is honored by the appointment and looks forward to collaborating with the City Commission, staff, and community to build on Fort Lauderdale’s momentum. She aims to implement innovative, community-focused solutions aligned with strategic priorities to shape the city’s future.
The City of Fort Lauderdale anticipates that Williams’ leadership and expertise will be instrumental in guiding the city’s continued growth, innovation, and community-focused initiatives.
