She had been serving in interim capacity since July 2025
On Dec. 23, 2025, Shelia Roberson was named director of Sarasota County’s Communications Department, “a role that continues her more than 23 years of service with the county and more than 30 years in the public sector,” county staff announced.
“In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the department’s operations, including the 311 Call Center, and the Public Records, Creative Services, and Public Information and Community Outreach divisions, a news release explains.
She had served as interim Communications director since July, following the resignation of Jamie Carson, who had been the Communications director since September 2022.
In July, Carson became director of communications for the Manatee County School District, her LinkedIn account says.
In a Dec. 23, 2025 email, Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis notified the county commissioners of Roberson’s appointment.
“As you know,” Lewis wrote, “we have been working over the past several months to fill the vacancy … We have worked to identify the right candidate to fill the position and take the department into the future.”
He added, “Shelia has been a valuable member of the County for the past 23 years. I believe her passion for public service and transparency as well as her commitment to effective administration will allow us to continue to reach the goals set by the Board and our community.”
In the news release, Lewis noted that Roberson’s experience in fostering community partnerships, “along with her deep understanding of public service, gives her valuable insights into public operations, community needs and relationships, which are critical to the role.”
He added, “We had an excellent pool of candidates. This job extends beyond traditional communications efforts. It’s also about how we engage with the public, support residents through our 311 call center, and ensure public records requests are fulfilled in a timely manner. Shelia’s experience and knowledge of the county and our organization will be invaluable as the Communications Department continues to inform and engage with our community,” Lewis continued. “Her ability to be effective leading a team and her commitment to public service make her the ideal choice.”
Roberson said in the release that being selected for the position gives her an important opportunity to continue driving forward strategies and innovation, along with “building trust in local government and services.”
“It’s an honor to work alongside so many dedicated staff at Sarasota County,” she added, “and I look forward to leading and supporting the talented communications professionals we have serving our community every day.”
A July 12, 2025 chart that then-commission Chair Joe Neunder referenced in conjunction with an August 2025 budget discussion showed that Roberson was making $152,006 as the interim director of Communications. That chart also noted that the average actual pay for that position in comparable counties was $154,222. In response to a public records request this week, The Sarasota News Leader learned that Roberson’s salary has been boosted to $158,017.60.
Roberson previously served as the Business Operations division manager in the county’s Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department, the county news release notes. Her LinkedIn account says she had held that position since January 2012.
Prior to that, she had been operations manager of the Office of Financial Management since October 2006. (The department was known as the Office of Financial Planning at that time, her LinkedIn account indicates.)
Before joining Sarasota County Government, her LinkedIn account shows, she was the parks and recreation supervisor for the Asheville, N.C., Parks and Recreation Department for almost exactly 15 years.
Roberson earned a Bachelor of Science in parks and recreation administration from Mars Hill University near Asheville, the county news release says.