Manatee County Names New Utilities Director

MANATEE — Manatee County Government’s Department of Utilities will welcome new leadership after commissioners confirmed Patrick Shea to the role during a commission meeting on Tuesday.

Shea attended Tuesday’s confirmation via Zoom, telling commissioners he was looking forward to the opportunity to join Manatee County Government and his upcoming relocation from Minnesota.

Having obtained his Bachelor's in Science/Chemistry, Shea furthered his education, going on to obtain a Master’s in Public Administration. He worked for nine years for the City of St. Cloud, Minnesota as the Public Services Director, and most recently served as St. Paul, Minnesota’s Regional Water Services Manager after first serving as the assistant manager for the organization.

Shea’s resume—which was attached to Tuesday’s meeting agenda—includes details about his prior experience in the field, awards and recognitions, as well as additional certifications obtained throughout his career, including; Class A Water System License, Class A Wastewater System License, Certified Maintenance Manager, Envision Sustainability Professional Certification, and Biosolids Operations License.

In his resume, Shea notes that St. Paul’s Regional Water Service supplies water and waste service to roughly 452,000 residents a year.

“I’m very excited to join the team,” Shea addressed commissioners Tuesday,  offering to answer any questions commissioners might have. 

“My number one policy is to have an open door and communicate as often and in any manner that the board sees fit,” he added.

Shea will be the third director of the county's Department of Utilities in less than two years time. As the new director, Shea will fill a vacancy made when the department's former director, Evan Pilachowski, was promoted to serve as a deputy county administrator last October. Pilachowski first joined Manatee County Government in late 2022 after the county's previous long-time director of utilities, Mike Gore, "resigned" from the organization while former administrator Scott Hopes was at the helm. 

The county’s most recent County Administrator Charlie Bishop—who was appointed to the administrator role following Hopes departure last year—promoted Pilachowski as a deputy October 2023, after serving as department’s director for a year. 

Shea’s confirmation as the newest Director of Utilities was approved unanimously by commissioners.