John F. Asmar is Mayor Hayward’s Chief of Staff and Special Counsel.

As Chief of Staff, Mr. Asmar directs the activities of the Office of the Mayor and staff as to administrative/operative matters and the Mayor’s goals and objectives.  He is responsible for interpreting, formulating, and implementing Mayoral policies and procedures. In addition to providing advice and legal counsel to the Mayor, Mr. Asmar also represents the Mayor as needed in negotiations and meetings, and in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer oversees the City’s budgetary process.

John has more than twelve years of professional experience in local government administration throughout the state of Florida, including service as City Manager for the City of Homestead, Deputy City Manager of North Miami Beach, Planning and Development Services Administrator for the City of Clearwater, and Assistant County Administrator for Escambia County.

A graduate of the University of Florida’s Frederic G. Levin College of Law, Mr. Asmar also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, Local Government, and Finance from the University of West Florida and a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University.

Professionally, Mr. Asmar is affiliated with the Florida Bar Association and Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association. He is an active member of the Pensacola community, serving on the board of directors for United Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Florida and the Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council.