ANNA MARIA – John Lynch is Anna Maria’s new city commissioner.
On Jan. 9, the four sitting commissioners unanimously appointed Lynch to serve the remainder of former commissioner Jon Crane’s term that expires in November.
Anna Maria businessman Brian Seymour also applied to fill the vacant seat but he withdrew his application on Jan. 4. Seymour’s withdrawal left Lynch as the only remaining applicant and the only participant in the Jan. 7 candidate forum moderated by Mayor Mark Short and attended by commissioners Chris Arendt, Kathy Morgan-Johnson, Gary McMullen and Charlie Salem.
Lynch spent approximately 20 minutes answering 10 questions posed by Short. Lynch said he retired as a senior director of engineering for the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical company in 2023. Before that, he spent 35 years in various supply chain, manufacturing and innovation management roles with Proctor & Gamble. He has a chemical engineering background, managed large construction projects and was the president and secretary of the Michael Lynch Memorial Foundation.
“My brother, Michael, was a firefighter killed on 9/11. He was one of the folks that responded to the south tower. Over a 12-year period, we were able to award over $7 million in scholarships to first responders, their children and other survivors.”
Lynch still has a small, self-owned supply chain and innovation consulting company that primarily assists investment banks and he has a charter boat business in Avalon, New Jersey, where he and his wife, Lou Ann, have a second home. He said he has no business interests or conflicts in Anna Maria.
The New York native grew up in The Bronx, lived in New Jersey and lived in Cincinnati for 25 years while working for Proctor & Gamble. He and Lou Ann have an adult son and two adult daughters, including one in Cincinnati who has a chronic illness.
The couple visited Anna Maria often before they bought their North Shore Drive property in 2013, built their home in 2019 and became permanent residents in 2021. Lynch said he spends 7-8 months a year in Anna Maria and also spends time in New Jersey and Cincinnati. When
he’s out of town, he’ll participate in commission meetings remotely or fly back.
In preparation, Lynch read the city commission meeting minutes for the past year. He wants to help improve the city’s storm resiliency to help offset future climate change and he believes his supply chain, engineering and executive leadership experience can help bring city projects to their timely completion.
He said it’s important to the balance the priorities of residents, visitors and business owners.
“Residents are first and foremost, but you need to have those others to make this place the wholesome, growthful community it needs to be.”
Lynch said he has “a collaborative spirit,” listens well, works well with others and has never served as a government official.
Regarding the most significant challenges facing the city, Lynch mentioned storm resiliency, drainage, hurricane recovery and restoring of the “legacy infrastructure” that includes the City Pier and the privately-owned Rod & Reel Pier.
“I think financial stewardship is important,” he said when praising the city’s recent millage rate reduction.
“I am an advocate for home rule. I read about the OPPAGA study. We need to serve the residents of this community and work collaboratively with those other cities. If there’s an ability to consolidate services, we should do that,” Lynch said, noting it’s also important to work collaboratively with state and county officials.
In closing, he said, “I love this place and I think I can make a difference.”
