Volusia County announces key appointments for Votran, IT Division, and EMS.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

During their May 2, 2023, meeting, Volusia County Council members unanimously approved some key appointments that will contribute to the continued growth and success of three Volusia County divisions. These appointments include the selection of a new division director for Votran, a director for the county's Information Technology (IT) Division, and a new EMS director.

The newly appointed division director for Votran is Bobbie King, a New Smyrna Beach resident with a long history of service with Volusia County. She began her career with the county in 1997 as a paralegal in the Sheriff's Office. Over the years, she has held various roles within the county, including serving as an activity project manager for the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Division from 2001 to 2014. In this capacity, she oversaw environmental and outdoor recreation initiatives, managed the Volusia ECHO program, and supervised maintenance and park facilities operations.

In 2014, Ms. King joined the Public Protection Department as an activity project manager, working on key projects in the Corrections and Fire Rescue divisions, and successfully secured grant awards for Volusia County. Since 2020, she has served as the county's operations manager for Votran, where she has been instrumental in identifying necessary changes and implementing ideas to improve the transportation system. As division director, Ms. King will oversee a competent team and manage upcoming service model changes for Votran.

In addition to the appointment for Votran, the county has also announced the appointment of John Bailey as the director of the IT Division. Bailey has been with the county since 2019 and served as the assistant IT director, infrastructure manager, and network services/communications manager. With his experience managing a significant budget and leading a team responsible for critical infrastructure and network security across multiple locations, Bailey brings valuable expertise to the role. The IT Division provides comprehensive IT services to the council, county departments, elected offices, and several external agencies.

Furthermore, Volusia County Council members confirmed Kevin Captain as the new EMS director for Volusia County Emergency Medical Services. Captain, who has been with the county since December 2018, previously held the position of Community Information Director and played a crucial role in managing public information and community outreach campaigns during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes. Captain has a pre-hospital, emergency, and trauma care background and brings extensive medical expertise to his new role. He will oversee the ambulance system, manage the budget, and supervise the EMS employees responsible for providing optimal pre-hospital emergency medical care and rapid response.

County Manager George Recktenwald expressed his confidence in the newly appointed directors, recognizing their valuable contributions and leadership abilities. With their expertise and dedication, these individuals will continue to drive positive change, implement innovative solutions, and ensure Volusia County's continued growth and success in their respective divisions.