Movers and Shakers

Audubon Florida Board of Directors Named chair of the Audubon Florida Board of Directors was Heidi McCree, Tampa, an attorney.

Lauren Book The Florida Senate Democrats have chosen Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation) as their Democratic Leader, succeeding Senator Gary Farmer (D-Fort Lauderdale). Just days before this year’s legislative session concluded, Senator Farmer resigned his seat after the Senate democrats took a vote of no confidence. Book took over the remainder of session and will serve until 2024.

Corrine Brown A federal appeals court overturned the conviction of former Congresswoman Corrine Brown. Brown, who in 2017 was convicted on 18 felony counts for an alleged charity scam, will receive a new trial.

Gwen Graham U.S.President Joe Biden hasnominated former Florida Congresswoman Gwen Graham to serve as an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Education. She will need to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Guardian ad Litem Alan Abramowitz resigned as president of Guardian ad Litem to take a new position as the chief executive officer of Arc of Florida. He ran the program for about 10 years.

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Appointed deputy secretary for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation was Brian McManus. McManus previously served as chief of staff for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Appointed chief of staff the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity was Meredith Beatrice. She previously served as spokesperson for Governor DeSantis.

Florida Ports Council Doug Wheeler, CEO of the Florida Ports Council, resigned after ten years with the Council. Michael Rubin, who has served as vice president of the Council since 1988, will serve as interim president and CEO.

Bill Nelson Former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate as the new NASA administrator. A former astronaut, Nelson flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986.

New College of Florida New College has selected Patricia Okker as its president-elect. Okker is currently dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Missouri. The Board of Governors will vote on her appointment at their June 23rd meeting. She replaces Donal O’Shea who retired after nine years.

Sea World After more than a year of being the interim CEO, SeaWorld’s Marc Swanson has been named CEO.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service Appointed principal deputy assistant secretary by President Biden was Shannon Estenoz, a fifth-generation Key West native. Estenoz ran the agency’s Everglades restoration department under President Barack Obama.