County Manager

Don Fisher The County Manager serves as the chief executive officer overseeing county operations, implementing Board policies and preparing an annual operating budget. The County Manager manages all departments and coordinates operations with Constitutional Officers, other elected officials and partner agencies.

Don Fisher | County Manager
Phone: 407-742-2385
Email: Don.Fisher@Osceola.org

Don Fisher is the County Manager of Osceola County, a position he has held since 2010. He is the longest serving County Manager in Osceola County history; one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. He oversees a $2.8 billion budget and nearly 1,800 employees to ensure delivery of essential community services and planning strategically for community development, while driving continuous improvement.

He has directed and overseen the economic transformation of Osceola County diversifying its historic profile on agriculture and tourism, to one that now also reflects managed growth, a diverse economic profile incorporating manufacturing, distribution, and high-impact technology.

Guiding the establishment of NeoCity, a 500-acre technology district that is providing workforce opportunities for residents, and implementation of Osceola Prosper – the only government program in the nation to fund 2 years of college of technical education for every graduating senior in the County (2022, 2023 and 2024), are two recent career highpoints.

Fisher's genuine concern for the well-being and professional growth of his team has fostered an environment of collaboration and inclusivity, wherein the collective goal remains the enhancement of the quality of life for all the residents of Osceola County. His journey into public service began when he graduated magna cum laude from the University of Central Florida with a degree in public administration. He has nearly 40 years of local government experience including 21 years with Seminole County.

Don is a member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Florida Association of Counties (FAC), Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA), Experience Kissimmee Board of Directors, BRIDG Board of Directors, imec Steering Committee, and UCF School of Public Administration Advisory Board.

He was honored for 35 years of service to local government by ICMA. A key aspect of this honor is ICMA’s code of ethics. The organization’s members believe good government is built on public trust and that the commission-manager form of government is essential to creating that environment with checks and balances.

Recognitions received by Don include “Good Government Award” from Seminole County in 2003 and the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce in 2011; Orlando Business Journal's 2016 CEOs of the Year; Community Vision’s “Leadership Osceola 2017 Outstanding Community Leader” and “2017 i4 Business Leaders of the Year” award, and most recently, the “2023 Osceola County Boy Scout Golden Eagle Award”, “2023 UCF School of Public Administration Alumni Achievement Award”, and “Orlando Business Journal’s 2023 Power Players”, among many other honors.

Fisher exemplifies the highest standards of integrity, innovation, and stewardship in public administration and leadership.

Management Philosophy

Excellence in customer service
Planning with clear focus on vision, innovation, and results.
Build public and employee trust through open and honest communication.
Leadership by example that challenges the organization for continuous improvement.
Management designed for efficient use of financial and people resources.

Experience and Skills

Osceola County Manager
June 21, 2010 - Present
Interim County Manager
April 5, 2010 - June 20, 2010
Growth Management Administrator Direct report to County Manager
October 2007 - April 2010
Oversight of Building, Code Enforcement, Customer Resources, Development Review, Mosquito Control, Natural Resources, Planning, Technical Review Staff, and Zoning.
Deputy County Manager - Seminole County
July 2004 - September 2007
Annual operating budget of approximately $620 million. Worked with the County Manager in day-to-day operations of the organization. Ten direct report departments, consisting of approximately 1,400 staff. Served as Acting County Manager January 2006 - May 2006.
Director of Planning and Development - Seminole County
November 2000 - July 2004
Oversight of Administration, Building, Customer Resources, Development Review, and Planning.
Project Manager, Senior Planner, Associate - Bowyer-Singleton & Associates
March 1999 - November 2000
Planning, engineering, surveying, and environmental development firm.

Education and Training

University of Central Florida UCF, B.A. in Public Administration, Magna Cum Laude, 08/98
Leadership Seminole 2004
Leadership UCF 1998, one of 30 students selected for the year
Four Roles of Leadership 2003 - Franklin Covey
Dynamics of Leadership 2001-2002 – Leadership and Listening Institute
Florida State University, Level 2 of the Certified Public Managers Program

Achievements

Orlando Business Journal’s 2023 Power Players
2023 UCF School of Public Administration Alumni Achievement Award
2023 Osceola County Boy Scout Golden Eagle Award
Community Vision's "Leadership Osceola 2017 Outstanding Community Leader"
Recipient of the 2017 i4 Business Leaders of the Year Award
Orlando Business Journal's 2016 CEO of the Year
2011 St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce's "Good Government Award"
2007 Honorary Inductee into Pi Alpha Alpha by the University of Central Florida Chapter
2006 Distinguished Alumnus for Seminole Community College
2003 Seminole County's "Good Government Award"
Recipient of the Private Business Association’s First Annual 2003 Good Government Award other recipients include Congressman John Mica and Representative Lee Constantine
Recipient of Outstanding Public Project – Customer Resource Center - 2002 Florida Planning and Zoning Association
Selected as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Central Florida by the Orlando Business Journal in 2001
1998 Outstanding Undergraduate in Public Administration University of Central Florida
Member of the Golden Key National Honor Society