In a move signaling a shift in the upper echelons of Miami-Dade County's administrative leadership, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced key changes to her senior staff. Chief of Staff Johanna Cervone and Deputy Chief of Staff Rachel Johnson are slated to depart come October 2025, making way for Christopher Hudtwacker to step into the Chief of Staff role.
Hudtwacker currently serves as the Director of Innovation at PortMiami, a position he took up in 2022 after robust periods of service within the Floridian legislative landscape and strategic innovation. His pending ascension to Chief of Staff was shared in a statement by Mayor Levine Cava, as she expressed her appreciation for the profound impact of both Cervone and Johnson during their tenure. "I am deeply grateful to Johanna and Rachel for their extraordinary leadership and partnership over the past five years," the Mayor said, according to the official press release.
The departure of Cervone and Johnson ushers in a new era marked by Hudtwacker's anticipated leadership, which Mayor Levine Cava seems poised to leverage for the continued development of a more responsive and effective county government. Cervone has been with the Mayor's office since its commencement in November 2020, steering pivotal policy initiatives and maintaining the synchrony of day-to-day operations. Johnson, who also joined at the start of the Mayor’s current term, transitioned from a role as Communications Director to Deputy Chief of Staff, where her contributions were key in strategic communications and policy development efforts.
In his time there, he established the Port’s Office of Innovation and has been at the helm of numerous technology projects, besides securing substantial grant funding. “Johanna has been the backbone of our administration — a brilliant strategist and steady hand who helped translate vision into action across every corner of our government and seamlessly navigate our greatest challenges. Rachel has been equally indispensable, helping to drive strategy, build support for major legislative initiatives, and guide our administration’s communications with clarity and purpose. Together, they helped shape a government that is more responsive, transparent, and effective. Their contributions will have a lasting impact," Mayor Levine Cava said, as noted by the Miami-Dade County website.
