A Burning Desire to Serve
by Kevin Fritz
For William Watts, the new Longwood city manager, public service runs in his blood. His father served as a deputy sheriff in Orange County, and for a while, it seemed like he would walk that same path.
“I thought I wanted to follow in his footsteps,” says William, a native of Seminole County. “I knew I wanted to serve the public. I had a natural drive to serve.”
However, after enrolling in a criminal justice program at Valencia College, William learned about an EMT (emergency medical technician) program at Seminole State College. Part of the program’s appeal was that within six months, he could get a job in that field and immediately start helping people.
So, William made the switch and accepted an EMS (emergency medical services) job while attending firefighting and paramedic school at Seminole State. By age 23, he landed a job with the City of Maitland. Nineteen years later, he was named as the sixth fire chief of the Maitland Fire-Rescue Department.
“I went from not knowing what an EMT was to fire chief,” says William. “I give credit to former Maitland Fire Chief Kimberly Neisler. When I received my fifth bugle on my collar, I thought back to all the individuals who sat in that chair [before me] and what an incredible opportunity that had been afforded to me.”
Back to His Roots
By 2023, William had served 22 years for the City of Maitland and decided to retire. He joined colleagues in the private sector, establishing a new fire academy in Orlando as part of the First Response Training Group. As rewarding as that position was, he longed for his roots in public service.
“I missed serving the community,” he says. “I heard the City of Longwood was hiring, so I returned as a firefighter.”
Following the retirement of Longwood Fire Chief Michael Peters in 2024, Troy Feist was promoted to fire chief, and William was promoted to deputy chief. Not long after, City Manager Clint Gioielli announced his retirement, and the City Commission began looking for a replacement with experience in executive leadership. William was their choice, and in May, he was appointed as the new city manager of Longwood.
“It’s an adventure,” he says of his new role. “I like it a lot. It is a very challenging job, with a high level of responsibility. There is a new challenge every day.”
Indeed, the city manager is the chief administrative officer and is directly responsible for the operation of all city departments. William’s current priorities are on Longwood’s infrastructure needs, including the ongoing enhancement of the city’s drinking water supplies and the construction of the new Fire Station #15 on West Warren Avenue.
“As Longwood’s newest city manager, I appreciate the support of the employees, the commission, and the citizens,” says William, “and I look forward to serving the city.”
National Night Out
On Tuesday, October 7, Longwood will host its annual National Night Out, which promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
The event will be from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Candyland Sports Complex, 599 Longdale Avenue, and will include police and fire vehicle displays, Neighborhood Watch information, and community partner/business displays. There will also be hot dogs and drinks, a DJ, games, giveaways, raffles, and bounce houses. A highlight of the evening will be a softball game between the Longwood fire and police departments.
“The fire department claims they bring home the win almost every year,” quips City Manager William Watts, a former firefighter. “I think the safe bet is to root for the underdog.”