Ben Pingree, a familiar face in local government who championed economic development efforts and angered some local officials, is leaving his high-ranking post in Leon County to become deputy director of the Tallahassee Airport.
In an Aug. 23 email obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat, County Administrator Vince Long informed commissioners of the personnel change.
Pingree began serving Leon County public officials nearly 24 years ago and was rehired in July 2023 as one of two deputy county administrators.
“Ben has been a tremendous asset to the county and I fully supported his decision to pursue this competitive selection,” Long wrote. “As you may know, Ben has decades of experience overseeing large infrastructure and economic development projects, as well as navigating and leveraging complex local, state and federal financing opportunities to bring major projects to fruition. This is his true passion and fits with the airport’s ambitious plans.”
Pingree takes over the leadership of the airport at a crucial time full of opportunities and challenges.
Just last month, the city’s airport was forced to suspend service with JetBlue. In a single night and with a surprise decision, the airline reversed 10 years of efforts by business leaders, city governments and elected officials to bring the airline to Florida’s capital city.
On the other hand, construction continues on Tallahassee’s $28 million International Processing Facility, which is expected to open up unprecedented economic opportunities and international access for travelers and economic development.
Ben Pingree has been in government service for decades
Pingree’s career has included several positions in local government.
The Democrat previously reported that Pingree joined Leon County government in 2000 as a budget analyst and worked his way up to assistant county administrator before leaving in 2007 to take a job as Wakulla County administrator. That job ended amid turmoil a few years later. He served as president and CEO of the Zoo Miami Foundation and found his way back to Tallahassee.
Back in the capital, Pingree also served dual roles as vice president of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and the now-defunct Tallahassee/Leon Economic Development Council from 2013 to 2015 (which led to the creation of the Office of Economic Vitality).
A year later, Pingree was hired to lead the Planning, Land Management and Community Enhancement (PLACE) division, which includes the city/county planning department, Blueprint and OEV.
A term in office that sometimes acts like a lightning rod
Some county officials praised him for creating OEV and implementing Blueprint 2020 and its $1.3 billion worth of related projects. But Pingree had a whirlwind tenure at Blueprint, as he oversaw the passage of several controversial sales tax-funded projects, including Welaunee and Doak Campbell Stadium.
He also clashed with some members of the Intergovernmental Agency, a panel of city and county commissioners that sets policy for Blueprint-funded projects. Pingree particularly clashed with City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow, who criticized Pingree for his role in various projects.
Pingree is known to be good friends with Long and Tallahassee City Manager Reese Goad, who is ultimately responsible for airport operations.
In 2022, after the controversial Blueprint session that awarded Florida State University $27 million in stadium funds, Pingree was spotted on a Delta flight with other elected and public officials, including Long, Goad and City Attorney Jack Campbell. City Commissioner Jack Porter, who was also on the plane, snapped a photo of them sitting on the plane.
All four officials declined to disclose whether they traveled together or where they were going, saying the trip was private and no public business was discussed.
It is not immediately clear when Pingree will begin his new job at Tallahassee International Airport, and he has not yet responded to inquiries about his new position.
It is also still unclear how high his salary will be.
The Democrat has asked Alison Fairs, the city’s communications director, and Robert Wigen, the director of resource management, about Pingree’s salary but has not yet received a response.
Check back later for further updates on this breaking news.
Contact economic development reporter TaMaryn Waters at [email protected] and follow @TaMarynWaters on X.
