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Savannah Appoints Jason Pagliaro as New SEFT Director

Savannah's tourism scene comes alive with vibrant festivals and events.

News Summary

Savannah has appointed Jason Pagliaro as the new director of the Office of Special Events, Film, and Tourism following Susan Broker’s retirement. With nearly two decades of law enforcement experience, Pagliaro’s extensive background includes managing major events and ensuring public safety. He will oversee event permitting, film industry coordination, and tourism initiatives while balancing community concerns. His innovative approach, particularly in public safety, is expected to drive new strategies for Savannah’s tourism.

Savannah has appointed Jason Pagliaro as the new director of the Office of Special Events, Film, and Tourism (SEFT). This transition comes following the retirement of Susan Broker, who served in the role for 24 years, and adds a wealth of experience from Pagliaro’s nearly two-decade career in law enforcement with the Savannah Police Department.

Pagliaro’s background is deeply intertwined with event management and public safety. He spent 20 years as a police officer, notably holding the position of sergeant in charge of the Homeland Security Office for a significant portion of that tenure. In this capacity, he led special event and emergency management operations for nearly 13 years, overseeing major festivals and parades in Savannah, including the city’s famous St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

In addition to his event planning responsibilities, Pagliaro also directed the Dignitary Protection Unit, ensuring the security of high-profile visitors and public officials. His innovative approach included spearheading the department’s drone unit service for six years, which played a key role in enhancing public safety through aerial surveillance.

Despite initially planning to retire from the Savannah Police Department this summer, Pagliaro decided to take on the challenge of leading SEFT. In this new role, he will oversee all aspects of event permitting, coordination for the film industry, and tourism initiatives for the city.

Pagliaro will step into this leadership position at a time when the city is actively working to balance tourism interests with the quality of life for its downtown residents. The new director will face the important task of addressing community concerns while maintaining Savannah’s appeal as a destination for visitors.

In the interim, Faye DiMassimo, the Chief of Planning and Economic Development, has assumed the responsibilities of SEFT while also serving as Co-Chair of the Major Special Events Task Force alongside Pagliaro. This transition coincides with ongoing initiatives to improve regulations on tourism activities, including a recently implemented pilot program aimed at managing the noise and congestion associated with walking tours in downtown Savannah.

The leadership transition in SEFT comes during a critical period for the city, as Savannah navigates the dual challenge of enhancing its tourism profile while addressing resident feedback and concerns regarding the impacts of tourism. Mayor Van Johnson emphasized the strength of Savannah’s succession plan during this transition, ensuring continuity in operations and event management.

The departure of Broker marks a significant shift in leadership for the office, reflecting changes in the city’s strategic approach to managing special events and promoting Savannah’s film and tourism industries. Her long tenure included shaping the structure and effectiveness of SEFT, which now requires new perspectives and strategies under Pagliaro’s directorship.

As Jason Pagliaro takes on this new role, both city officials and residents will be looking to see how his extensive experience in public safety and event planning translates into innovative strategies that balance the vibrant activities of tourism with the needs of Savannah’s communities.