Florida, United States
Charles Harris Rudd MPA, CPM
Florida City & Town Manager — 29 years of municipal leadership
Specializing in full-service city management, downtown and community redevelopment, coastal disaster response, and the kind of steady, consensus-driven leadership that elected boards and residents can count on.
- MPA
- Certified Public Manager
- Certified Redevelopment Administrator
- Certified Main Street Manager
- FRA Board of Directors
- 29 years
- 29 years
- in Florida local government
- 8
- communities served across Florida
- $120M
- municipal budget managed
- $5.1M
- in grants secured
- MPA
- University of Central Florida
Profile
Steady, hands-on leadership for Florida communities
Charles Harris Rudd is a Florida local-government executive with 29 years of public service across city and town management, community redevelopment, and economic development. He has served as city manager of both small and mid-size Florida communities, building a reputation for downtown revitalization, disciplined operations, and partnering effectively with elected officials to deliver strategic priorities.
As a coastal-Florida manager, Charles has led full-service cities — police, fire/EMS, utilities, public works, finance, and planning — through both growth and crisis, including back-to-back major hurricanes. He is known for forming and financing community redevelopment agencies (CRAs), launching and reviving Main Street programs, and aligning long-term vision with day-to-day execution.
Areas of expertise
- Full-service municipal operations
- Downtown & CRA revitalization
- Main Street program leadership
- Emergency management & disaster recovery
- Coastal resiliency
- Economic development
- Budgeting & financial oversight
- Council–commission relations
Career
Selected roles
2024 – 2026
City Manager
City of Tarpon Springs, Florida
Chief executive of a full-service coastal city — police, fire/EMS, utilities, public works, finance, planning, and the community redevelopment agency — accountable to a five-member commission.
2021 – 2024
City Manager
City of Crescent City, Florida
Chief administrative officer of a full-service municipality, leading day-to-day operations and a downtown-redevelopment agenda.
2019 – 2021
Economic Development Director
City of New Port Richey, Florida
Led redevelopment and economic development for a Gulf-coast community, advancing its community-redevelopment agency and corridor plans.
Writing
Latest insights
Downtown Redevelopment
Downtown Redevelopment: A Field Guide for Florida Communities
After nearly 30 years reviving Florida downtowns, here is how the pieces fit together — Main Street as economic development, the buildings as a community asset, and the elected commitment that makes it all happen.
4 min read
Community Redevelopment
Starting — or Reviving — a Main Street Program: The Critical Elements
Standing up a downtown organization from scratch is a different animal than restarting one that has gone quiet. Here is what I have learned about each — being honest about why programs die, leading with organization, finding champions, and rebuilding the city partnership on purpose.
5 min read
Community Redevelopment
You Have the Downtown Your Elected Officials Are Committed To
A provocative lens for any community serious about its downtown: if you want to know what your leaders are truly committed to, look at what you already have — and at the hidden 'shoulds' running the show.
7 min read
Recognition
Recognition & in the news
Tarpon Springs approves boutique hotel to boost downtown growth
Bay News 9
$4M boutique hotel is officially coming to Tarpon Springs
Tampa Bay Times
Tarpon Springs working on new branding, with downtown focus
Bay News 9
Meet Charles Rudd, City Manager
Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA)
A Little Town With Big Plans
Comcast Newsmakers
Board of Directors
Florida Redevelopment Association
Seeking the right Florida community to serve.
A 29-year city and town manager open to select council–manager opportunities across Florida — communities ready to invest in downtown vitality, fiscal discipline, and steady, resident-focused leadership. The best first step is a confidential conversation.