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Administration
Community Development Director 
John Dulmer is the Community Development Director for the City of Bonita Springs. He has lived on the west coast of Florida since 1974 growing up in Venice, Florida. He received his BS degree in Political Science from the University of Alabama and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Memphis. John has been practicing in the field of planning for over 12 years and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. John is a graduate of the 2011 Leadership Bonita Springs class.
During his career, he has worked both in the private and public sector preparing various land use policies and entitlement applications. John was involved in the adoption of the first comprehensive plan for Bonita Springs in 2002 and began employment Community Development in June 2008.
Office Manager
Ms. Gauntlett has worked in the private and public sector for 25+ years in Sacramento, California; Detroit, Michigan; Sandy Springs, Georgia, and Florida.
Supervises Administrative Assistants, Receptionists and Permit Technicians by communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counseling, and training; initiating, coordinating, and enforcing systems, policies, and procedures. She is also a business professional who is responsible for a diverse set of administrative tasks. Finally, she acts as the point of contact for all employees, providing administrative support and managing their queries. Main duties include managing office stock, preparing regular reports (e.g. expenses and office budgets) and organizing company records.
Data Analyst
Greg Smith is a Communication & Information Analyst with the City of Bonita Springs. Mr. Smith has worked in the private and public sectors for 11+ years providing GIS and analytical support on Environmental, Engineering and Planning projects.
Greg conducts full lifecycle analysis to include requirements, activities and design. He’s responsible for developing analysis, reporting, and regularly monitors performance and quality control plans to identify improvements. He also must visualize, articulate, conceptualize or solve both complex and uncomplicated problems by making decisions that are sensible given the available information.
Administrative Assistant for Development Services
Administrative Assistant for Planning and Zoning
Building Code Review and Inspections
Chief Building Official | Plans Examiner | Multi-Certified Building Inspector
Peter Haigis, Building Official, is a licensed Building Official, Inspector and Plans Examiner with eleven years of experience in the building code industry.
He has been in Southwest Florida since 1978 associated with the construction industry as a General Contractor and Real Estate Broker before entering the Building Code Profession in 2001. He conducts field inspections of residential and commercial buildings during various stages of construction; ensures that structures are in compliance with applicable state and local laws, ordinances, and codes (including, but not limited to, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and energy codes) to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
Dep Building Official | Plans Examiner | Multi-Certified Building Inspector
Building Inspector with 40 years experience in the construction industry.
Joe has worked in the construction industry for 40 years, 17 of which has been in the codes profession in the public sector. He is a Florida licensed Building Code Administrator, Commercial and Residential Plans Examiner and Inspector. Joe is also certified by the International Code Council as a Certified Building Official, Commercial and Residential Plans Examiner and Inspector. Prior to the codes profession, he was self employed and licensed in Virginia as a Home Improvement and Fire Restoration Contractor. He conducts field inspections of residential and commercial buildings during various stages of construction; ensures that structures are in compliance with applicable state and local laws, ordinances, and codes (including, but not limited to, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and energy codes) to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
Plans Examiner | Multi-Certified Building Inspector
Leslie C. Dowdal, is a licensed, Plumbing, Gas, Mechanical Inspector, and Plans Examiner with over twenty years of experience serving Lee County. PX58 & BN122
Les is a licensed plumbing contractor, and past president of the Florida Association of Plumbing, Gas, Mechanical Inspectors (FAPGMI). He is also an instructor for the Building Officials Association (BOAF), ICC International Code Congress (ICC), Contractors Prep School (CPS), FAPGMI, and Apprenticeship School. Les was a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) member for the State of Florida for five years on the Plumbing, Pool and Gas codes committees. He has been a voting member for international code changes, has many years of plumbing design experience, and receives many calls from all over the country for code interruptions.
Les has lived in the city of Bonita Springs for thirty two years has raised two children, has been married for thirty years and has had family in Bonita Springs for seventy years.
Plans Examiner | Multi-Certified Building Inspector
Ron is a certified Building Inspector and conducts post permitting inspections for building code compliance.
He conducts field inspections of residential and commercial buildings during various stages of construction; ensures that structures are in compliance with applicable state and local laws, ordinances, and codes (including, but not limited to, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and energy codes) to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public. He interprets codes and regulations; reviews, researches, and communicates results in determining applicable codes/ordinances; explains required inspections, construction requirements and construction and repair methods and materials to owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and the public; advises owners on matters related to building permits; investigates and resolves building and related complaints.
Building Inspector
Julie (Juls) is a certified Building Inspector and conducts post permitting inspections for building code compliance.
She conducts field inspections of residential and commercial buildings during various stages of construction; ensures that structures are in compliance with applicable state and local laws, ordinances, and codes (including, but not limited to, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and energy codes) to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public. She interprets codes and regulations; reviews, researches, and communicates results in determining applicable codes/ordinances; explains required inspections, construction requirements and construction and repair methods and materials to owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and the public; advises owners on matters related to building permits; investigates and resolves building and related complaints.
Building Inspector
Andy is a certified Building Inspector and conducts post permitting inspections for building code compliance.
He conducts field inspections of residential and commercial buildings during various stages of construction; ensures that structures are in compliance with applicable state and local laws, ordinances, and codes (including, but not limited to, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and energy codes) to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public. He interprets codes and regulations; reviews, researches, and communicates results in determining applicable codes/ordinances; explains required inspections, construction requirements and construction and repair methods and materials to owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and the public; advises owners on matters related to building permits; investigates and resolves building and related complaints.
Building Inspector
Doug is a certified Building Inspector and conducts post permitting inspections for building code compliance.
He conducts field inspections of residential and commercial buildings during various stages of construction; ensures that structures are in compliance with applicable state and local laws, ordinances, and codes (including, but not limited to, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and energy codes) to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public. He interprets codes and regulations; reviews, researches, and communicates results in determining applicable codes/ordinances; explains required inspections, construction requirements and construction and repair methods and materials to owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and the public; advises owners on matters related to building permits; investigates and resolves building and related complaints.
Plans Examiner | Multi-Certified Building Inspector
Ayita is a certified Building Inspector and conducts post permitting inspections for building code compliance.
She conducts field inspections of residential and commercial buildings during various stages of construction; ensures that structures are in compliance with applicable state and local laws, ordinances, and codes (including, but not limited to, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and energy codes) to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public. She interprets codes and regulations; reviews, researches, and communicates results in determining applicable codes/ordinances; explains required inspections, construction requirements and construction and repair methods and materials to owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and the public; advises owners on matters related to building permits; investigates and resolves building and related complaints.
Permit Technician
Amber is responsible for providing assistance and information in submitting permit applications. She has knowledge in the areas of building plans intake, permit issuance and fee collection.
Amber answers customer inquiries regarding building requirements, zoning, development orders, flood plain development requirements, coastal construction zones, contractor licensing, inspection tracking, and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy and/or Compliance. She reviews, processes, and files plans, blueprints, specifications, and sketches presented by applicants seeking City permits.
Permit Technician
Brooke is responsible for providing assistance and information in submitting permit applications. She has knowledge in the areas of building plans intake, permit issuance and fee collection.
Brooke answers customer inquiries regarding building requirements, zoning, development orders, flood plain development requirements, coastal construction zones, contractor licensing, inspection tracking, and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy and/or Compliance. She reviews, processes, and files plans, blueprints, specifications, and sketches presented by applicants seeking City permits.
Permit Technician
Barbara is responsible for providing assistance and information in submitting permit applications. She has knowledge in the areas of building plans intake, permit issuance and fee collection.
Barbara answers customer inquiries regarding building requirements, zoning, development orders, flood plain development requirements, coastal construction zones, contractor licensing, inspection tracking, and issuance of Certificates of Occupancy and/or Compliance. She reviews, processes, and files plans, blueprints, specifications, and sketches presented by applicants seeking City permits.
Planning, Zoning, and Development Services
Planning and Zoning Manager
Jacqueline is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Prior to joining Bonita Springs, her experience included serving as a Project Planner with a local planning and engineering firm in southwest, Florida. Her experience included the preparation of land use entitlement documents, including but not limited to, comprehensive planning policies, land development regulations, site feasibility studies, and the preparation of land use petitions for several planning projects throughout the state of Florida. She was a member of the task force created to form the Collier County Housing Stimulus Program, a comprehensive program designed to address long-term housing needs. She holds a Masters in Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Central Florida.
Jacqueline reviews privately initiated comprehensive plan amendments, zoning petitions, and local development orders; prepares city initiated comprehensive plan amendments and land development code amendments; and serves as the impact fee coordinator. She is a member and Secretary for the Promised Lands Section of the American Planning Association Florida Chapter and graduate of the 2012 Leadership of Bonita Springs class.
Professional Surveyor/Mapper | Principal Planner
Jay L. Sweet is Florida Professional Surveyor and Mapper, and a member of American Institute of Certified Planners.
Jay comes to Bonita Springs with a diverse back ground and more than 30 years of experience in the Land Development Community. He has extensive experience in all phases of land development regulations. He verifies exact measurements and determines property boundaries, and data relevant to the shape, contour, gravitation, location, elevation, or dimension of land or land features on or near the earth’s surface for engineering, map-making, mining, land evaluation, construction, and other purposes
Senior Planner
Mike Fiigon is originally from Long Island, NY but has lived in the Southwest Florida area for over 20 years. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration degree (MPA). Mike’s first experience with the City of Bonita came as in intern while in graduate school. For eight weeks, Mike worked on creating and distributing citizen surveys to Bonita residents, in which the results were tabulated and presented to the budget committee for their consideration.
He has been a member of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) since 2011 and a member of the American Planning Association (APA) since 2015. In addition to working for the City of Bonita Springs, Mike is also an adjunct faculty member at Florida Gulf Coast University (his alma mater), a position he has held since 2011. He is a graduate of the 2017-18 Leadership Bonita class and serves as the City’s historic planner in addition to his other functions as the principal zoning reviewer for limited development order applications, and the reviewer and staff report writer for administrative action applications, public hearings, variances, special exceptions and rezoning cases.
City Senior Development Engineer
Stuart Smith is the Community Development Engineer with more than 30 years of design and construction experience in the public and private sectors. He is very familiar with intergovernmental permitting, construction management and construction code compliance.
His land development experience includes project manager for the design of residential and commercial projects. Stuart’s experience includes construction management and inspection for FDOT roadway, bridge, and storm-water management projects in Florida. A graduate of University of Maryland, Stuart is a member of The ASCE, OSHA Certified, a Traffic Control Supervisor, Building Threshold Inspector, and trained in CPR and First Aid. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Florida and a resident in Bonita Springs.
Environmental Specialist
Laura is originally from Nashville, Tennessee and received a Bachelor of Science from Middle Tennessee State University with a Minor in Political Science. She has lived in Southwest Florida for the past 20 years with environmental and GIS related work experience for a local non-profit and local municipalities including 16 years with Collier County as an Environmental and Senior Environmental Specialist in the Community Development and Public Utilities Divisions. Her experience includes reviewing all types of development projects in regards to listed species and native vegetation preservation, responding to pollution complaints, conducting hazardous material storage tank inspections, preparing spill response plans and conducting training, and GIS data maintenance and analysis for environmental and National Flood Insurance Program projects.
In her position with the City of Bonita Springs Community Development Department, Laura reviews and conducts inspections for Dock and Shoreline Permits, Development Orders, Rezones, Planned Developments and Comprehensive Plan Amendments and assists the public and the City with various environmental concerns.
Planner II / Landscape Compliance
Sean Gibbons comes to us from Florida Gulf Coast University, where he received both his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA). In addition to his position on the City of Bonita Springs Community Development team, Sean is an instructor and faculty member at FGCU specializing in State and Local Government and Administration.
Both a member of the American Society of Public Administrators (ASPA) and the National Political Science Honor Society, Sean has worked for his alma mater on range of projects in the S.W. Florida area including: Comprehensive Plan Management and Evaluation & Appraisal Reporting, to Municipal Charter Review and public opinion analysis.
A lifelong S.W. Floridian, Sean is avid kayaker, fisherman and outdoor enthusiast; and when not in the office can usually be found soaking up the sun in Estero Bay.
Drainage Inspector for Development Services
Molly performs work as an individual inspecting development to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local codes. She inspects and reviews plans including, but not limited to, paving, grading, drainage, water, stormwater, and related infrastructure.
Her work is performed under the supervision of the Community Development Director with extensive latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment. Molly relies on experience and exercises independent judgment based on subject-matter expertise in the area of specialization and the application of advanced concepts, techniques and knowledge of processes to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
Drainage Inspector for Development Services
Planner II
Mary has been with Community Development since 2016, serving in a variety of capacities. As a Chicago native, she came down to Florida in 2016 after graduating from Elmhurst College with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She worked as our Receptionist until returning to law school at Ave Maria School of Law. During this time, she interned with the City Attorney’s Office, learning how to apply her City interest with her new legal education.
Mary finished her Juris Doctor early in December of 2017, and passed the Florida Bar in April 2018. She has started as our new City Planner, applying her previous legal knowledge with her passion of Land Use to work towards obtaining her AICP. Mary has loved serving the City where she now calls “home” and is excited to help plan for its future.