Volusia County Council approves two promotions.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News 

During the first regularly scheduled County Council Meeting of 2023, the new Volusia County Council approved the promotions of two employees to leadership roles within their divisions.

According to a release, Joe King, who has been a firefighter for 32 years, has been named director and fire chief for Volusia County Fire Rescue, which has 221 employees and 19 fire stations throughout the county. Jay Williams, the county’s assistant traffic engineer for the past 16 months, was tapped to head the Traffic Engineering Division and oversee transportation planning, traffic studies, construction, operations, and maintenance of traffic signals for the county.

King has a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from Columbia Southern University, an associate degree in fire science from Daytona State College, and joined Fire Rescue in 2021 as deputy fire chief. He was named interim director in July when Howard Bailey retired. Previously, he worked for Flagler County Fire Rescue as deputy fire chief from 2017 to 2021 and division chief and fire marshal from 2013 to 2017. He also worked for the Ormond Beach Fire Department from 1990 to 2013, rising to the rank of captain.

Williams worked with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) before joining Volusia County staff. He held various roles in the Traffic Operations Department, including overseeing FDOT’s traffic signal system, managing transportation infrastructure/technology projects, and developing reports to improve roadway safety. Holding a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Central Florida, Williams is a registered professional engineer, a professional traffic operations engineer, a certified traffic signal technician, and a certified public manager.

County Manager George Recktenwald noted that King and Williams are committed to public service and have proven track records in addressing community needs and improving services.