Joe Abruzzo Officially Starts New Role Leading Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County Governmental Center in downtown West Palm Beach — the hub of county administration, local policy decisions, and regional economic planning.

Palm Beach County — the largest and most populous county east of the Mississippi River in the United States — just welcomed a familiar and trusted face into its top executive role. On June 17, 2025, Commissioners selected long-serving Clerk & Comptroller Joe Abruzzo as the new Palm Beach County Administrator, succeeding Verdenia Baker, who had led the office for nearly a decade.

Abruzzo brings deep institutional knowledge and a results-driven track record. As Clerk, he consistently delivered strong financial performance—generating record investment returns and even leading the county to become the world’s largest investor in Israel Bonds. He also played a key role in opening up access to Jeffrey Epstein's grand jury records, demonstrating his commitment to transparency.

Over the years, and in his capacity as a legislator serving in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, Abruzzo was instrumental in securing critical infrastructure funding for the Glades and western communities, a staunch supporter of law enforcement, and a driving force behind economic development initiatives that shaped Palm Beach County’s growth. That experience — blending legislative know-how with local priorities — gives him a unique vantage point as he assumes the county’s top administrative post.

Now stepping into the administrator’s shoes, Abruzzo will oversee a $9 billion budget and manage more than 7,100 county staff serving roughly 1.6 million residents. His appointment brings leadership stability and credibility to West Palm Beach’s executive suite — something every community can rally behind.

Why it matters: This isn’t just a promotion — it’s a strategic move at the helm of the largest county east of the Mississippi in the United States. With solid institutional know-how and a respected reputation across the region, Joe Abruzzo officially starts new role leading Palm Beach County to drive transformational outcomes, not just maintain the status quo.