The City of Tampa has confirmed Abbye Feeley as the new Administrator for Development and Economic Opportunity. In a vote carried out by the City Council on Thursday, Feeley, with a track record of more than two decades of public service was chosen to lead the department instrumental in shaping Tampa's growth and socioeconomic landscape. Her tenure as the interim administrator began in July this year, following Nicole Travis's departure.

Feeley is known for her stint as Tampa's former planning and development coordinator and has cut her teeth in public service as a planner with the now-defunct Department of Community Affairs. In, October 2020 she climbed the ranks to be appointed Director of Development and Growth Management and then to Deputy Administrator in May 2022 before this latest ascent to leadership. Her earlier career was marked by a tenure at Stearns Weaver Miller where she was Associate Director of Zoning & Planning.

An endorsement came from Mayor Jane Castor who remarked on Feeley's qualifications saying, "With numerous decades of experience in public service, Abbye has the commitment, passion and institutional knowledge to manage the diverse DEO portfolio," according to the official announcement on Tampa's website. Castor pointed out that Feeley's leadership is set to be central to Tampa's ongoing transformation while staying true to the essence of the community.

As the new head of the department, Feeley will oversee divisions that span across a wide range of urban governance concerns, including Architectural Review & Historic Preservation, Construction Services Development Coordination, and Housing & Community Development. Also under her leadership are City Planning, the Tampa Convention Center, Real Estate and, Economic Opportunity.