Michael Cernech
By: Sharon Aron Baron
Tamarac’s city manager Michael Cernech is in the running to head up Delray Beach.
According to BocaMag, the City of Delray Beach is interviewing for a permanent city manager position and has narrowed the list down to three candidates: Michael Cernech of Tamarac; George Gretsas, the city manager of Homestead; and Joseph Napoli, deputy city manager of Miami.
After their city manager Mark Lauzier was fired last March – receiving no severance, a headhunter reportedly received 48 applications for the position.
Working with the City of Tamarac since 2001, Cernech was appointed city manager in 2011 after serving as deputy city manager and assistant city manager. He currently earns $256,520 a year plus pension, health, dental, life, supplemental life, long term disability, a deferred compensation plan, car, and cellphone allowance. He also has received a three percent merit raise each year – approved overwhelmingly by the city commission.
Cernech has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Detroit and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Trinity University. He sits on the Florida City/County Management’s Association Board of Directors for his district and was newly appointed secretary/treasurer. He also recently served three terms as secretary/treasurer of the Broward City-County Management Association.
Other candidates Delray is considering are George Gretsas and Joseph Napoli said BocaMag.
Gretsas was formerly the city manager of Fort Lauderdale from 2004 to 2010 and left when the city commission declined to renew his contract. The city of Homestead hired him several months later.
Joseph Napoli graduated from West Point with a degree in engineering. He retired as a colonel after a career that took him to, among other places, South Korea and Iraq. Napoli has had the No. 2 job in Miami for a year. Previously, he was chief of staff at Miami International Airport.
According to Gina Carter with the City of Delray Beach, the next interviews will take place on Monday, August 19 from 9 am to about 4 pm. At 5 p.m. there will be a meet and greet.
At 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, the candidates will appear before the commission and public comments will begin at 2:30 PM. The commission will then make a final decision.
Cernech currently lives in Parkland with his wife and children.