St. Johns County has found its new financial helmsman in Wade Schroeder, who steps up to the Office of Management & Budget Director role after serving as the Assistant Director since 2016. Schroeder, a seasoned financial strategist, has shepherded the county through economic ebb and flow for over two decades, demonstrating resilience in the face of recessions and natural disasters – the kind of steadiness that champions maintain and communities rely upon.
During a meeting on Aug. 19, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners heralded Schroeder's appointment, with County Administrator Joy Andrews underscoring his pivotal role in the county’s financial standing, "Wade has been integral to St. Johns County’s financial success, assisting in guiding us to an AAA bond rating while navigating the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple natural disasters, and a period of unprecedented growth," as per a statement on the St. Johns County's website. Andrews emphasized Schroeder's dedication to conservative financial policies pivotal for the county's robust economic health.
A testament to their fiscal transparency, St. Johns County was lauded this July by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States. Attaining such recognition as a 2023 Triple Crown Winner distinguishes them as one of the mere 403 governments in North America to achieve this accolade for their financial communications, spotlighting St. Johns County's commitment to openness and clarity in public financial dealings.
Prior to his term at the OMB, Schroeder sharpened his financial acumen within the St. Johns County Clerk of the Courts’ Finance department for half a decade, laying down a foundation of public service that spans a quarter century, it's a testament to a career rooted in public administration and financial strategy – hallmarks of a public servant aware of the intricacies within the gears of governmental operations. A holder of a BS in Finance from the University of Central Florida as well as a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of West Florida, Schroeder brings a mix of theoretical rigor and practical application to the position.
