Previous director left city employment in early February
Dominique Anderson recently was appointed director of the City of Sarasota’s Human Resources Department, after serving for six months as the department’s acting director, city staff has announced.
She replaces Stacie Mason, whose LinkedIn account notes that she had served with the Human Resources Department since November 2003. In August 2013, then-City Manager Tom Barwin named Mason director of that department, the Sarasota Observerreported at that time.
In response to a Sarasota News Leader inquiry, Luke Mocherman, a city communications specialist, reported in an Aug. 6 email that Mason left city employment on Feb. 6.
Nick Dazio, general manager of the city’s Records and Information Management Division, told the News Leader via email on Aug. 6, “Stacie did not submit or provide a letter of intent to resign.”
The News Leader had filed a public records request for a copy of any letter Mason had written to senior staff.
Initially, Mason and her staff handled the search to replace Marlon Brown, who left employment as city manager in October 2024. However, in the spring of 2025, city commissioners began discussing their concerns about the lack of transparency in that process. Ultimately, the head of the search firm that Mason had hired informed city staff that the firm was ending its work on the city’s behalf. The commissioners ended up charging City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs and City Attorney Joe Polzak with the responsibility of advertising for a new search firm. That effort resulted in the board’s offer of the city manager position to Karie Friling of DuPage County, Illinois, on Feb. 27. She formally began work on May 29.
In an Aug. 4 email, Friling announced Anderson’s appointment to the commissioners and staff, writing, “Dominique Anderson has demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism, and dedication in serving the City of Sarasota, and I’m confident this appointment will strengthen our HR operations and support our employees and departments citywide. “
Friling added, “Ms. Anderson has been with the City of Sarasota since March 2014, beginning as a Human Resources Specialist focused on employee data administration. Over more than 12 years of service, Dominique Anderson has progressed through several key HR roles, including Human Resources Generalist, Senior Human Resources
Generalist, General Manager, and most recently Acting Human Resources Director. This experience spans the full employee life cycle, including talent acquisition, employee and labor relations, compensation and benefits, HR operations, and oversight of the employee health center.
“Throughout these roles,” Friling continued, “Dominique Anderson has consistently prioritized compliance, collaboration, and the creation and enhancement of a welcoming HR environment that supports both employees and the City’s strategic goals. After speaking with both her fellow colleagues and staff, I am confident that she will continue to excel in this new leadership role.”
The Human Resources Department, which has 11 employees, “conducts essential internal and external City functions, including recruiting, professional development, risk management, ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] compliance, employee and labor relations, and provides essential services to the Human Relations Board and Citizens with Disabilities Advisory Board,” a city news release explains.
“Thank you to City Manager Karie Friling for the opportunity to take on this role and lead the charge in finding new and creative ways to support the excellent employees who serve our community,” said Anderson in the release. “I look forward to working with my team to set the bar high for customer service and make the HR Department a place where employees are welcomed, valued, and empowered to do their best work,” she added.
After beginning her career in human resources and management in the private sector, the release points out, Anderson joined the city staff in 2014. She was promoted to general manager of Human Resources in 2023, it adds.
Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Leo University and a master’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix, the release says.
At the time of her departure, Mason’s base salary was $168,351.66, Mocherman also told the News Leader in his Aug. 6 email. “Anderson’s base salary as HR Director is $168,351.66,” he added. The News Leader had requested that information, as well.