Brian Boykins, who has served as Mayor George Flaggs Jr.’s administrative assistant and chief of staff for five years, has announced he is leaving the mayor’s office Aug. 24.

He announced his resignation in a July 9 letter to Flaggs. Flaggs announced Boykins’ resignation before the Tuesday meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

“It has certainly been an honor, sir, to serve in your office and learn from you,” Boykins wrote Flaggs. “I will take everything that I have learned with me in my future endeavors. The time has just come for me to try and pursue other career opportunities.”

Boykins said he did not have any specific jobs in mind.

“After five years I just feel like it’s time for me to move on and pursue other interests,” he said.

Boykins joined Flaggs’ administration as administrative assistant and chief of staff in July 2013 when he was elected mayor. He graduated from St. Aloysius in 1990 and has a bachelor’s degree from Alcorn State and a master’s in political science from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

“He’s a big loss to me,” Flaggs said, adding he talked with Boykins about his decision.

“Four years is probably the limit of service most chiefs of staff work, so it didn’t come as a total surprise to me,” he said.

“Wherever he lands, they will have a tremendous person. Brian has been one of the most loyal, dedicated persons I’ve ever worked around, and for that, I will ever be grateful for him serving five years with me.”