Mayor names new chief equity officer
January 30, 2025 - Mayor Ken Welch has named George Smith, economic development manager, St. Petersburg’s new chief equity officer. Smith will succeed Carl Lavender in March, who served in an interim role since November 2023. Welch credited Lavender for “coming out of retirement to help establish St. Pete’s first Office of Equity.” Smith was responsible for funding new affordable housing development programs and small business assistance for the South St. Pete CRA (community redevelopment area).