The University of North Florida has promoted Christopher Warren as executive director in the Office of the President and University Relations. His promotion is effective immediately.
“We’re excited to have Chris take the lead in University strategic initiatives in the President’s Office as well as having him work to enhance the student experience at UNF,” said UNF President David Szymanski.
Warren, a Jacksonville Beach resident, will be responsible for leading the University’s community and business relations/coalitions, sustaining/creating University culture and experience (traditions and unifying beliefs), advocating support for local/federal governmental initiatives, directing strategic initiatives on behalf of President Szymanski and serving as an incident command liaison officer on the University’s Crisis Management Team.
A UNF alum, Warren became director of Governmental and Community Relations in 2015 at the University, where he served as a registered lobbyist to identify legislative, regulatory and political opportunities to advance or defend the University’s interest at the local, state and federal levels. He was also responsible for retaining and expanding $111M of the University’s budget through the state’s appropriation process. Additionally, he exerted leadership in nonprofit organizations and associations to drive University initiatives.
In 2011, he managed JAX Chamber’s legislative affairs portfolio and JAXBiz PAC before moving to Washington D.C. to work for Congressman Ander Crenshaw in 2013. Following his time in Washington, Warren worked as the business development manager for Operation New Hope.
He’s earned several awards, including Jacksonville Business Journal’s “40 Under 40,” “30 Under 30” Rising Stars of Florida Politics from Florida Politics and Jacksonville’s Top 30 Under 30 by BUZZ Magazine. Warren is also active in the community and serves as an Editorial Board Member for The Florida Times-Union and is a mayoral appointee for the City of Jacksonville Public Service Grant Council.
He received a bachelor’s degree from UNF in communication, with a concentration in public relations and a minor in political science.
