Boca Raton’s Promotes James Zervis to Deputy City Manager

On Heels of Top-Tier Awards for Financial Excellence for the City

Boca Raton, FL – The City of Boca Raton is proud to announce the promotion of James Zervis to Deputy City Manager/Chief Financial Officer, effective March 3, 2025. In addition to continuing his role as the City’s Chief Financial Officer, Zervis will now also serve as Deputy City Manager, expanding his responsibilities to include overseeing Public Works and Engineering, Information Technology, and playing a key role in the government campus redevelopment initiative. With over 24 years of experience in municipal leadership, financial management, and executive oversight, Zervis brings extensive expertise to his expanded role.

James Zervis

Zervis’s promotion comes on the heels of Boca Raton’s continued success in earning top-tier financial awards. The City has recently received three prestigious recognitions for its commitment to financial excellence. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) honored the City with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, a distinction that reflects the City’s adherence to the highest standards in transparency and accountability. Boca Raton is among the few entities nationwide to have maintained this distinction for over 44 years.

In addition, the City’s Office of Management & Budget has been awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 42nd consecutive year, with special recognition in Performance Measures and Strategic Goals. The City also received the Award of Excellence in Procurement from the Florida Association of Public Procurement Officials, underscoring its dedication to responsible and efficient financial practices.

“I am honored to take on the role of Deputy City Manager while continuing to oversee the City’s financial operations,” said Zervis. “Boca Raton has a long-standing tradition of financial excellence, and I look forward to expanding my responsibilities to support the City’s strategic initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and continued fiscal stewardship.”

For more information on the City’s financial reports, budget, and procurement processes, visit the City’s Financial Services and Office of Management & Budget webpages.

Prior to joining the City as the Chief Financial Officer, Zervis served as the Chief Administrative Officer for the County of Kern, California, where he managed county-wide strategic planning, capital improvement planning and funding, and was responsible for the preparation and ongoing management of the County’s $3.5 billion budget, financial planning, new financings, and debt management. Through his tenure, he has served in various roles from City Manager to Finance Director of various municipalities and counties. Additionally, he holds certifications as a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Public Finance Officer.

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