Published on May 22, 2025
The City of Melbourne has hired Joan Junkala-Brown as its new Deputy City Manager.
Junkala-Brown brings solid leadership and community development experience to her new role. Most recently, she served as Deputy City Manager for the City of Palm Bay where she supervised the city’s development departments, including the Building, Growth Management, Community and Economic Development, and Utilities Departments and development-related functions of the Public Works Department.
“Joan Junkala-Brown is a skilled leader with experience in helping municipal departments streamline business processes to improve efficiency and strengthen customer service,” said City Manager Jenni Lamb. “We are looking forward to her joining our team.”
During her tenure as Palm Bay Deputy City Manager, Junkala-Brown oversaw business recruitment and expansion, planning and permitting; economic development incentive programs and policies; infrastructure projects, including land acquisition for future widening of roadways; utilities plant expansion projects; and planning for future police and fire stations. She also supervised several key functions of the City Manager’s Office and served as the primary point of contact for state and federal legislative priorities.
“I’m thrilled to be selected to serve in this role for the City of Melbourne,” she said. “I look forward to serving the residents of Melbourne and supporting the City’s leadership team to implement the vision and policies set by Melbourne City Council.”
Prior to her work at the City of Palm Bay, Junkala-Brown served as President of Community Development Strategies Inc. and as the Economic Development Manager for the City of Cocoa. Before relocating to Brevard County, she was employed by Broward County for approximately five years. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning from Florida Atlantic University. She will begin her service to the City of Melbourne on June 9.