Collier County manager announces retirement after his battle with COVID-19

Battling COVID-19 and its aftereffects since September, Collier County Manager Mark Isackson announced his retirement after less than a year on the job.

He plans to retire by July 1 to allow time for the Board of County Commissioners to figure out the best way to find the best candidates for the position.

Isackson's announcement comes on the heels of deputy manager Sean Callahan's departure from his government role.

Isackson, 62, sent an email about his July departure to all 3,500 county employees this month.

Commissioners met Tuesday and voted on Commissioner Burt Saunders' motion to have the county's Human Resources Department advertise for recruiting search firms. The chosen firm would assist the commissioners in seeking out and vetting internal and external candidates.

The motion was approved by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Rick LoCastro voting no.

Previous coverage: Collier County manager returns to work after battle with COVID-19, encourages vaccinations

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In his email to staff, Isackson said his ongoing struggle with post-COVID conditions became the deciding factor for him to retire.

"[A]lthough my recovery over the past several months has been progressing in the proper direction, it has not been nearly at a pace at which I can be content," he wrote in his email dated Jan. 7.

"After careful consideration of each, I have arrived at the conclusion that only one option is both fair to the agency and my recovery, and have decided to announce my retirement effective July 1, 2022. This delayed date should allow the Board of County Commissioners adequate time to approve my successor and to provide a seamless transition before my departure."

Isackson joined the county’s Office of Management and Budget team in 2004, and served as Director of Corporate Financial and Management Services.

He was selected as county manager in March 2021 and started serving in that capacity in May 2021 after commissioners used the county's Human Resources Department instead of a search firm for the application process. His contract was meant to expire in May 2024 with an annual base salary of $230,000.

Late last year he took a two-month absence as he battled COVID-19 before returning in November.

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Another manager gone

Commissioners appointed Deputy County Manager Sean Callahan as acting county manager on Sept. 9.

Callahan returned to his deputy position after Isackson returned; however, he was dismissed from that position this week, Commissioner William McDaniel told the Naples Daily News.

"He is no longer employed with the county as of January 23rd," Isackson confirmed.

The county is now left with one deputy manager, Amy Patterson.

A month after Isackson became county manager, commissioners unanimously approved his request for a new leadership structure.

The new structure includes two deputy county managers, instead of one, and two Growth Management Department deputies to replace former Administrator Thaddeus Cohen.

Callahan, former executive manager of corporate business operations at the manager's office, and Patterson, former director of capital project planning, impact fees and program management division at the Growth Management Department, became the new deputy county managers effective immediately after commissioners approved Isackson's request.

Callahan's responsibilities included overseeing all county operational functions, and Patterson was charged with planning and executing capital projects such as the Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, according to a report.

Related: County Manager Mark Isackson's new leadership structure gets Collier Commission OK

Accomplishments

Reached by phone Wednesday, Isackson told the Naples Daily News "I don't have any more to say about my retirement, other than what I put in my memorandum to the board."

Isackson said he intends to present an executive summary to the board at the next meeting Feb. 8 regarding his plans for replacing Callahan.

He added that he has no specific plans for retirement.

In his email to staff, he wrote, "As I approach retirement status, I am proud of what has already been accomplished by my staff and departmental leadership and the agency talent that has been identified and cultivated over the past year....

"With the creation of the tandem Deputy County Manager structure, coupled with the installation of capable departmental leadership, adept management and continued operation of this organization is assured, effectively allowing the Board to do its due diligence in selecting the next County Manager."

He said that his decision was not made on a whim and that he first considered retirement a few months ago with the initial recovery steps taken after his hospitalization because of COVID-19.

"My physicians impressed upon me that my case was severe and that it was imperative to maintain stabilization of my vital signs while adjusting my lifestyle to account for post-COVID conditions that might occur, including insomnia, continued respiratory issues, brain fog, and mood changes," he wrote.

Reactions

Commissioner Penny Taylor told the Naples Daily News that when she learned about the reality of Isackson's struggle with COVID-19, she began to worry that he would soon retire.

"I was really concerned that he was going to leave earlier than July 1. And I was pleasantly surprised when he named that date," Taylor said. "Mark is a giant in our organization, he is the man that has steered our financial ship with such a drive and such foresight and such great depth of knowledge. He will be very difficult to replace...

"He was my number one choice as county manager, but I am very empathetic with his decision and think it is the right thing for him to do."

Commissioner LoCastro said the news of his retirement was bitter-sweet.

"I've had people basically say how disappointed they are that he's leaving and all that, I think just the opposite. Although I'm sorry to lose him in his expertise, he's given a decade's worth of dedication to Collier County. And you can't take away from that," he said.

He added that Isackson accomplished so much in a little amount of time, and made well thought out decisions that the government should have made years ago.

"You know, he has a family and he wants to enjoy his time. And he knows how demanding this job is, especially the way he does it. He is all in. And that's what this job requires. I really salute him and thank him for his service," LoCastro said.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Collier manager retires after battle with COVID