Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announces key leadership changes

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava today announced key leadership transitions within her administration, reflecting her continued commitment to streamlining County government, aligning leadership with the County’s priorities, and delivering results for residents. The changes include the retirement of Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales, the appointment of Chief Roy Coley as Deputy Mayor, and an expanded role for Chief of Staff Christopher Hudtwalcker. Additionally, PortMiami Director Hydi Webb is retiring as Seaport Director after more than 30 years of service to Miami-Dade County. 

“I am deeply grateful to Jimmy Morales and Hydi Webb for their extraordinary service to Miami-Dade County and our residents,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “Their leadership, integrity, and dedication have helped make our county stronger. As we look ahead, I am proud to appoint Roy Coley as Deputy Mayor with an expanded portfolio. Deputy Mayor Coley’s expertise and vision will be essential in delivering continued excellence for Miami-Dade County, strengthening accountability and driving greater efficiency across departments. My Chief of Staff, Christopher Hudtwalcker, will take on greater responsibilities as we continue strengthening our leadership team. These transitions reflect the strength of talent within our administration and our commitment to building a more resilient and prosperous Miami-Dade.” 

Retirements of Jimmy Morales and Hydi Webb 

Chief Operating Officer Jimmy Morales has served as a cornerstone of Miami-Dade County government, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the nation’s fourth-largest county. His distinguished career has been defined by operational excellence, fiscal stewardship, and a steadfast commitment to delivering results for residents. Mayor Levine Cava thanked Mr. Morales for his decades of public service and his pivotal role in guiding the County through periods of significant challenge and transformation. His retirement is effective immediately. 

PortMiami Director Hydi Webb has been a dedicated public servant for more than three decades and has played a key role in advancing PortMiami’s growth and global competitiveness. Her leadership and collaborative approach have left a lasting mark on the County and one of its most important economic engines.  

 Deputy Port Director Frederick Wong will serve as Interim Director. 

 Chief Roy Coley Named Deputy Mayor 

Mayor Levine Cava announced the appointment of Roy Coley as Deputy Mayor, where he will oversee an expanded portfolio that includes the Airport, Seaport, Department of Transportation and Public Works, Department of Solid Waste Management, Water and Sewer Department, Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, Department of Environmental Resources Management, and the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, which are currently under his purview.  

In this expanded role, Deputy Mayor Coley will provide strategic leadership and coordination across departments and initiatives that are central to Miami-Dade’s long-term growth, resilience, and quality of life. 

He will oversee critical infrastructure investments and projects through a unified portfolio encompassing the County’s transportation systems, water and sewer infrastructure, capital improvement programs, public works, environmental and planning groups.  

 “Roy Coley has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to the residents of Miami-Dade,” Mayor Levine Cava added. “His elevation to Deputy Mayor positions us to continue accelerating our infrastructure investments and building a more connected, sustainable county.” 

Expanded Role for the Office of the Chief of Staff 

As part of these organizational changes, the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Miami-Dade Public Library System will now report directly to Chief of Staff Christopher Hudtwalcker. This realignment reflects the Mayor’s belief that arts, culture, and literacy are foundational to a vibrant community and deserve dedicated executive attention. The Chief of Staff will help ensure these departments continue to thrive while remaining deeply connected to the communities they serve. 

Expanded Role for Chief of Public Safety  

Additionally, Chief of Public Safety Arnold Palmer will assume oversight of the Department of Housing and Community Development in addition to his leadership of the County’s public safety portfolio. Expanding access to housing remains a critical priority for my administration. 

Chief Carladenise Edwards will continue overseeing the departments responsible for the County’s essential administrative functions as the administration advances its efforts to streamline operations, improve service delivery, and build an even more efficient County government.