FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH Controversy continues to plague FSU in their search to replace Eric Barron, who left for Penn State in April. William Funk, the consultant hired find the university’s new president, resigned on June 9th days after the FSU Faculty Senate took a vote of no-confidence in the Dallas-based consultant. The faculty and student groups opposed the committee’s delay of the presidential search until Senator John Thrasher (R-St. Augustine) could be interviewed. On June 27th, the Board of Trustees passed a motion demanding at least three finalists. Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Ricky Polston and Representative Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda have also applied for the job.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH The Board of Trustees continues to search for a replacement for Bernie Machen, who will resign this December. Greenwood-Asher and Associates, based in Miramar, is conducting the search process and is currently reviewing a list of 15 applicants.
UF BOARD OF TRUSTEES On June 19th, the Board of Governors appointed David Brandon, president and founder of Brandon Construction company in Palm Harbor, as a member of the University of Florida’s Board of Trustees.
NEW JUVENILE JUSTICE SECRETARY NAMED Governor Scott announced that Christy Daly will be the Interim Secretary following Secretary Wansley Walters’ retirement on June 30th. Daly has held leadership positions for the past seven years at the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice as the Deputy Secretary, Chief of Staff, Legislative Director, and the External Affairs Director.
VISIT FLORIDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Andrew Hertz, president and general manager of the Miami Seaquarium, will serve as chairman of VISIT Florida for the upcoming year. In 2013, he was selected as President and Chair of the Orange Bowl Committee and is a past chair of the Florida Attractions Association.
GOP PICKS NEW LEADER Florida Republicans selected Leslie Dougher, a 50-year-old Middleburg real estate agent and chairwoman of the Clay County Republican Party, to serve as interim RPOF chair on May 31st. She will serve until the expiration of outgoing chairman Lenny Curry’s term in January.