Governor DeSantis Appointments:
Florida Women’s Hall of Fame Selected for induction to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame were:
- Virginia Covington, Tampa, senior district judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. In 2004, she became the first Hispanic United States district court judge for the Middle District of Florida when she was nominated by President George W. Bush. The recipient of the 2021 Distinguished Federal Judicial Service Pro Bono Award, Covington earned her bachelor’s degree and master of business administration from the University of Tampa and her juris doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center.
- Barbara Nicklaus, North Palm Beach, chair and co-founder of the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation. She serves on numerous boards including Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Children’s Healthcare Charities, Nicklaus Children’s Health System, Stop! Children’s Cancer of Palm Beach County and The Memorial Tournament’s Captains Club. She was recently inducted into the Florida State Golf Association Hall of Fame.
- Beverly White Yeager, Palm Beach, former director of the Florida Department of State’s Cultural Affairs Division where she oversaw the Florida Council on Arts and Culture and the Historical Commission. White Yeager also served as Florida’s international trade and development coordinator. She has served on the boards of The Red Cross of Palm Beach County, Florida Heart Association, South Florida Science Museum, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Foundation and The Salvation Army.
Governor’s Office Named the Governor’s chief of staff was James Uthmeier. He previously served as the Governor’s general counsel.
Greater Miami Expressway Authority Appointed were Fatima Perez, Coral Gables, regional manager for state government affairs for Koch Industries; and Richard Blanco, Miami, chief technology officer for Internos Group.
Jefferson County Supervisor of Elections Appointed was Justin “Tyler” McNeil, Monticello. He also serves as the director of human resources.
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners Appointed was Holly Raschein, Tavernier, government relations director for AshBritt and market advisor for First State Bank of the Florida Keys. Raschein served eight years in the Florida House of Representatives.
Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees Appointed were Carrie Lee, Alachua, president and owner of Florida Blue Farms; Emery Gainey, Gainesville, former Sheriff of Marion County and former chief of staff to Attorney General Ashley Moody; Lisa Prevatt, Hampton, principal of Bradford County Public School’s Lawtey Elementary School; and Robert Woody, Gainesville, former director of the Alachua county jail and former deputy secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota District Board of Trustees Appointed were Michael Fuller, Bradenton, a financial advisor and managing partner of Weichel Fuller; Taylor Collins, Sarasota, president of Benefits & Planning, Inc.; and Dominic DiMaion, Lakewood Ranch, president and CEO of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance.