Keith A. Dowdell

Address:  404 West Jefferson Street, Quincy, Florida 32351

Biography

Mayor Keith A. Dowdell was born and raised in Quincy and is a product of our community and public school system. He graduated from James A. Shanks High School in 1981 and attended Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; transferring later to the University of Alabama, graduating in 1985 with a B.S. Degree in Mathematics/Computer Science. Mayor Dowdell served 8 years in the United States Army, where he attained the rank of Captain. He has built a reputation for being a leader and has learned to build the types of coalitions needed to be an effective City Commissioner.

In 1996, Keith was elected as City Commissioner and has served several terms as Mayor in 1998, 2003, 2019. He is the longest seated Commissioner on the Board of Commissioners and is known for being a working community activist for the past 20 years.

After leaving the military with an honorable discharge and wanting to give back to his community, he pursued a career in education in 1994, wherein he started his teaching career with Gadsden County public schools (Havana Elementary, Havana Middle, Carter-Parramore, and James A. Shanks), and an alternative school (Bridge Wood Academy). He later became Dean of Students at Havana Middle School. His administrative duties have directed him to James A. Shanks Middle School, East Gadsden High School and now West Gadsden High School as Assistant Principal of Discipline and Graduation Coach. In addition to his educational background, he started a second career in 2003 with Florida State Hospital working the night shift as a Behavioral Program Supervisor and, of course, his third career as a City Commissioner.

The hallmark of his service is his championship of quality of life issues, include promoting a safe and secure city, preserving history and parks, affordable housing, and protecting the character of our residential neighborhoods, which is vital to the City of Quincy’s success.