Governor DeSantis Appointments

Chief Science Officer Appointed was Dr. Thomas K. Frazer. Frazer served as the director of the University of Florida’s School of Natural Resources and Environment and previously served as acting director of the UF Water Institute. The position was created by Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order 19-12 and his job will be “to coordinate and prioritize scientific data, research, monitoring and analysis needs to ensure alignment with current and emerging environmental concerns most pressing to Floridians.”

District Board of Trustees of Miami Dade College Appointed were Dr. Anay Abraham, Miami, managing director of developmental and external relations at City Year Miami; Michael Bileca, Miami, a founding partner of Towncare Dental Partnership, Inc. and former state legislator; Benjamin Leon III, Miami, president and COO of Leon Medical Centers; Carlos Migoya, Miami, president and CEO of Jackson Health System; and Marcell Felipe, Miami, international tax and corporate lawyer and founder of Marcell Felipe Attorneys and the Inspire America Foundation.

Florida Surgeon General and Secretary of the Florida Department of Health Appointed was Dr. Scott A. Rivkees. Riykees is a practicing pediatric endocrinologist, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine and physician-in-chief of UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. He also serves as academic chair of pediatrics at Orlando Health and pediatric chair at Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart in Pensacola. With reports about his unprofessional behavior surfacing in news media, Senate President Galvano announced that the Senate will not consider his nomination this session.

Holmes County Clerk of Court and Comptroller Suspended was Kyle Hudson, following his arrest for various crimes, including money laundering.

Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. Board of Directors Appointed was Lewis Bear, Jr., Gulf Breeze, president and CEO of the Lewis Bear Company.