Manatee County names a new acting administrator

Manatee County on Thursday named Charles Bishop as acting county administrator and announced that Lee Washington had resigned from that role for personal reasons.

Washington had assumed the role as acting county administrator Feb. 7 when Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes resigned.

Commissioners announced in February they would conduct a nationwide job search and said they were confident Washington, who had been serving as director of Community and Veterans Services, would bring a calm to the environment during that period. Hopes had replaced Cheri Coryea, who resigned 22 months earlier.

However, in April, commissioners moved to replace Washington with Jon Mast, the CEO of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association. Contract negotiations with Mast broke down, though, and Mast pulled out of consideration for the job.

Bishop, who joined the county in 2001, has served as a project manager, facilities services manager, infrastructure division manager, construction services division manager, and, for nearly 12 years, as the director of property management for Manatee County. Bishop was named deputy county administrator in August 2021.

“Mr. Washington stepped up when we asked and did the job,” said Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge in a county release. “And thank you, Charlie, for stepping up to serve the county as well."

Bishop is a 20-year U.S. Air Force veteran.

“I’m honored and I appreciate the vote of confidence,” said Bishop in the release. “I want to thank (Deputy Administrator) Courtney de Pol, too,” he said. “This is a team effort.”

In May, Commissioner Jason Bearden said it was likely the search for a new administrator wouldn't be complete until early in 2024.