Nicole Guillet, who has served as Seminole County’s manager since 2014, announced that she will resign on Dec. 3 to take on a new role as executive vice president for commercial development, real estate and legal affairs at the Orlando Sanford International Airport.
“I do want to say how grateful I am be part of this organization for 11 years,” Guillet said to commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. “I loved being here. But there comes a time in everybody’s life — if you’re lucky, more than once — when an incredible opportunity is placed in front of you. And that’s where I find myself. I am very excited about it. And I’m very flattered that the airport has asked me to be part of its mission.”
Guillet will start her new role in early December and earn $205,000 annually, according to airport officials. As Seminole’s county manager, Guillet’s salary is $221,372 a year.
After announcing her resignation, commission Chairman Lee Constantine directed Guillet and the two deputy county managers, along with county attorney Bryant Applegate, to develop and present a list of recommendations at the Oct. 12 meeting on how the board should move forward in selecting and hiring a new county manager.
“It’s important that we have a very smooth transition,” Constantine said. “And the county manager is the county manager until she leaves. And it’s important that we move forward in a very organized and professional manner.”
Commissioners then praised Guillet for her work.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done to get Seminole County to where it is,” Commissioner Andria Herr said to Guillet. “The opportunity you’ve taken is really significant in terms of the future of the county. So, I couldn’t be happier for you. But I’m a little concerned for us because transition is always hard, and change is hard.”
Guillet, 55, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from the University of Central Florida. She also received a law degree from the Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg.
Before becoming Seminole’s county manager, Guillet served as deputy county manager and development services director. She also was an associate attorney for the Broad and Cassel law firm in Orlando and a deputy chief administrative officer for the city of Apopka.
Seminole’s county manager prepares and administers the county’s $875 million annual budget and oversees management of the county’s more than 1,300 employees.
“You have given a significant part of your professional life to this organization, so I want to thank you for that more than anything else,” Commissioner Amy Lockhart said to Guillet.
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