Melissa Bailey Photo
The housing authority’s number-two chief is leaving town for the job “of a lifetime.”
The official, Jimmy Miller (pictured), will work his last day as deputy director of the housing authority and head of its not-for-profit development arm, the Glendower Group, next Friday, June 13.
He said he is taking a post as vice-president of a Florida university. He didn’t want to name the university until his new employer makes an official statement.
His new portfolio will include government relations and press relations, two areas he has spent a lot of time on in his jobs in New Haven and in New York State.
Miller, who is 62, has worked for the housing authority for over eight years. He served part of that time as executive director. He has also been loaned out part-time to Ansonia and Bridgeport to help them rescue their own troubled housing authorities. During his time in New Haven he has helped put together deals that remade public-housing developments across town, including in the West Rock neighborhood.
He called his new Florida job “the opportunity of a lifetime, something I’ve always wanted to do.” Otherwise, he would not have wanted to leave New Haven, he said. He said he has shed tears about leaving town.
“I wouldn’t do this for anything else,” he said. “This is exciting. But I am really sad about leaving here. I know everyone here. I know everyone in town almost. It’s like leaving my family. It’s really tough.”
Talent continues to flee new haven. There needs to be more flexibility so new haven can retain staff. I hope they offer Erik Johnson the job to keep him here.. lol.