James D. Curry, Okaloosa County Administrator, was appointed by the Board of Commissioners, effective July 2005.

He is responsible for implementing the Board's policies, preparing the annual budget for the Board's approval and appointing department heads. He also supervises the County's approximately 888 employees.

On a daily basis, he oversees the executive branch of government, which includes 16 departments concerned with such vital areas as: Airports (Okaloosa County has three); Corrections; Public Safety; Growth Management; Public Works; Water and Sewer and County Administrative Services (Extension Services, Information Services, Human Resources, Purchasing, Risk Management, Veteran Services, Fleet Operations, Court Services and Facility Maintenance).

Mr. Curry has been employed with Okaloosa County since 1978. He began as a Correctional Officer at the County Jail and became the Jail Administrator in 1981. In 1989, the Jail operations were transferred to the Board of Commissioner and the position was re-titled Director, Department of Corrections. In 1997, Mr. Curry was promoted to Administrative Services Director were had oversight of 9 county departments that included: Corrections, Human Resources, Information Systems, Risk Management, Purchasing, Fleet Operations, Facility Maintenance, Veteran Services and Court Services.

Mr. Curry holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Troy State University. He and his wife, Karin, have three children; Brandon, Natalie and Taylor. They live just outside the community of Holt.