Boca Raton Selects Former Naval Officer for City Manager Post

Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Commander Capt. Mark Sohaney talks with ombudsmen, key spouses, and military members from the base’s tenant commands at the Koontz Chapel on JBPHH, March 12, 2024. (DVIDS/ U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Christopher D. Blachly)

Boca Raton’s next city manager has managed multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects, oversaw the integration of the nation’s first new maritime patrol platform in a half-century and served as chief executive officer for two of the nation’s most critical naval bases.

The city council this week, in a unambitious vote, selected Mark Sohaney as its next city manager, replacing George S. Brown, who will retire from city government by the end of the year. Sohaney was one of five candidates who made the final cut for the city’s top post, which included two current city employees.

“We had five people with a diverse and robust group of managerial experiences,” said Mayor Scott Singer, following seven hours of interviews. “Personnel decisions are never easy. We had two in-house and I hope that they continue to serve with excellence here. I think the city would benefit tremendously from their service.”

Sohaney emerged as a consensus choice after city council members reviewed the breadth of the projects and programs he oversaw while in service as a naval officer, most notably serving as chief executive officer of both Joint Base Pearl Habor-Hickam and Naval Air Station Key West. Both stints included multi-billion dollar infrastructure investments, liaising with county commissioners and state governors, and overseeing a diverse force of 200 ships, 900 aircraft, and 145,000 personnel.

He also served as the officer in charge of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon Fleet Introduction Team, which has been hailed in the defense community as one of the smoothest and most successful military procurement programs of the last several decades. The P-8A, based on the Boeing 737-800NG, supplanted the Lockheed P-3 Orion in the maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare role, and has been considered a model acquisition program for the Navy, which continues to add new missions, electronic warfare platforms and munitions to its arsenal. The aircraft has since been adopted by the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and Indian Navy.

At the Joint Base, he was tasked with integrating recapitalization projects exceeding $12 billion, managed a $300 million budget and led countless infrastructure projects on the massive JB-PHH property. It was Sohaney’s ability to juggle numerous capital projects and transformations that largely convinced city council members that he was the right choice for the job in Boca Raton.

“I thought Mr. Suhaney was just a master of complex infrastructure projects, and really looked at the big picture,” said Councilman Marc Wigder. “He went out and met with local leaders, local stakeholders, and took time to feel the fabric of the city because he knew it was super important. He talked to us about it as if it’s a matter of fact, but he’s gone to congress and gotten appropriations, gone to the capital and gotten appropriations, and engaged with the governor or Hawaii.”

Councilwoman Yvette Drucker called Suhaney a “visionary” whose experience made him a “bold choice.”

“I just think that his experience with the complex infrastructure projects he’s done, working with multiple teams … and a fresh perspective on things is something we could benefit from here,” said Councilwoman Fran Nachlas. “One of the things he said that really touched me was that Boca is a little behind. We don’t want to be behind. We all agree that Boca is beautiful, but we never want to be behind, and I think we need to be forward-thinking and visionary.”

Councilman Andy Thomson ultimately voted for Suhaney’s appointment, pending the finalization of an employment contract, but said he would have preferred the selection of Jorge A. Camejo, the director of Hollywood, Fla.’s Community Redevelopment Agency, or current Deputy City Manager James L. Zervis, adding that the idea of promoting from within appealed to him. That said, he also praised Suhaney and supported his appointment.

The council authorized Singer to work with the city attorney to negotiate a contract and set the table for Suhaney’s entry into city government. Brown is set to retire Jan. 4, 2026, however he said he will be available to serve as needed to help smooth the transition and work on special projects if needed.