DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — George Grestas lasted just months as Delray Beach City Manager. He was fired this afternoon.
Here is the official statement from the City of Delray Beach:
Today, Delray Beach‘s City Commissioners met and voted to move forward with the termination of City Manager, George Gretsas. The decision came as a result of an ongoing investigation into allegations, filed by two city employees, involving bullying and intimidation of staff on the part of Gretsas.
Today, Delray Beach‘s City Commissioners met and voted to move forward with the termination of City Manager, George Gretsas. The decision came as a result of an ongoing investigation into allegations, filed by two city employees, involving bullying and intimidation of staff on the part of Gretsas. During the special meeting, the Commission voted, 4 to 1, to appoint the City’s Purchasing Director, Jennifer Alvarez, as Interim City Manager.
“Unfortunately, as much as I had hoped, this was not the right fit for Delray Beach, but I feel assured that the best candidate is still out there. Our city needs a manager that understands and respects the mission, vision and culture of Delray Beach, brings out the best in the city and its staff, and helps Delray Beach reach its full potential,” Mayor Petrolia said.
Gretsas began working for the City in January of 2020, after an outside recruiting agency narrowed down dozens of potential candidates to a final three. The Commission offered Gretsas the city manager position after negotiations with their first-choice candidate, Michael Cernech, were unsuccessful. Gretsas is suspended with pay until the investigation is completed and the Commissioners are able review the findings, per his employment contract.
Alvarez joined the City of Delray Beach as the Director of Purchasing in 2017. She is a Certified Public Procurement Officer with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and 21 years of local government experience, both on a county and city level. Prior to coming to Delray Beach she worked for three years as the Manager of Procurement and Contracts in the City of Fort Lauderdale. Alvarez began her career in 1999 in Miami-Dade County Manager’s Office.
