Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Mori Hosseini, James “Bill” Heavener
and Fred Ridley to the University of Florida Board of Trustees
Governor Ron DeSantis today announced the appointment of Mori Hosseini, James “Bill” Heavener and Fred Ridley to the University of Florida Board of Trustees.
Mori Hosseini
Hosseini, of Ormond Beach, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Intervest Construction Industries and the current Chairman of the University of Florida Board of Trustees. He is also the current Chairman of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Board of Trustees and serves on the Board of Directors for Enterprise Florida and Space Florida in addition to being a former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida. Hosseini earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from Chelsea College of Aeronautical Engineering and holds a bachelor’s degree, master of business administration and honorary doctorate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
James “Bill” Heavener
Heavener, of Winter Park, is Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman of Full Sail University and has been a member of the University of Florida Board of Trustees since 2013. He is a Past President and Legacy Director of the University of Florida Gator Boosters and a recipient of the 2018 Golden Gators Lifetime Philanthropist Award. Heavener is also involved with the University of Florida Alumni Association, University of Florida Foundation, University of Florida Warrington College of Business Advisory Council and the University of Florida Athletic Association. He earned an associate’s degree from Jacksonville University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.
Fred Ridley
Ridley, of Tampa, is an Attorney and Partner at Foley and Lardner specializing in real estate and corporate transactions. He is the former chair of the firm’s national real estate practice group and is a member of the firm’s transactions practice group. Ridley also served on the firm’s management committee from 2007-2014. He won the 1975 United States Amateur Championship and has served as Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Tournament since 2017. Ridley is also a former President of the United States Golf Association and sits on the board of Starwood Property Trust and several private companies. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Ridley earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from the Stetson University College of Law.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Beth Smith and Angel de la
Portilla to the Valencia College District Board of Trustees
Governor Ron DeSantis today announced the appointment of Beth Smith and Angel De la Portilla to the Valencia College District Board of Trustees.
Beth Smith
Smith, of Winter Park, is Government and Education Manager for Cigna, a health services organization. Previously, she served as the Community Relations Manager for Orlando Health and Director of Heart Walk for the American Heart Association. Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational communication and her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida.
Angel de la Portilla
de la Portilla, of Ocoee, has been the president of Central Florida Strategies, a government consulting firm, since 2008. He has served on a variety of boards including the Orange County Affordable Housing Advisory Committee and the City of Ocoee Planning and Zoning Commission. de la Portilla earned his bachelor’s degree in management from Florida International University.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints John Horne to the State College
of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota District Board of Trustees
Governor Ron DeSantis today announced the appointment of John Horne to the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota District Board of Trustees.
John Horne
Horne, of Bradenton, is the president of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, a business he’s operated since 1996. He is a member of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Leadership Florida and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. Horne earned his bachelor’s degree in administrative management from Clemson University.
This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Andrea Keiser to the Early
Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County Board of Directors
Governor Ron DeSantis today announced the appointment of Andrea Keiser to the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County Board of Directors.
Andrea Keiser
Keiser, of Delray Beach, is the managing partner of Keiser Legal, PLLC, a firm specializing in land use and zoning matters. Prior to founding Keiser Legal, she practiced with Dunay, Miskel and Backman, LLP. Keiser earned her bachelor’s degree from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business, her juris doctor and master of business administration from Nova Southeastern University and her certification in commercial real estate analysis and investment from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Four to the Florida State Boxing Commission
Governor Ron DeSantis today announced the appointment of Dr. Anup Patel, Tina Pike, Tobias Roche and Jeremy Wehby to the Florida State Boxing Commission. The Florida State Boxing Commission licenses and regulates all professional boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts in Florida and has exclusive jurisdiction over every boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts match held within the state which involves a professional.
Dr. Anup Patel
Dr. Patel, of Orlando, is a surgeon with Orlando Hand Surgery Associates and a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with Orlando Plastic Surgery Institute. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Society for Surgery of Hand and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Patel earned bachelor’s degrees in economics, biochemistry and molecular genetics from the University of Florida, his master’s degree in business administration from the Yale University School of Management and his medical degree from the Yale University School of Medicine.
Tina Pike
Pike, of Plant City, has served on the Florida State Boxing Commission since 2017. She is a member of the Garden Club of Plant City, sits on the board of the United Food Bank and volunteers at the Plant City YMCA. Pike earned her bachelor’s degree in business management and her master’s degree in education from Elmira College.
Tobias Roche
Roche, of Miami, is the president and chief executive officer for Private Eye Miami. He is a former financial investigator for the Department of Homeland Security, United States Secret Service and worked as an asset forfeiture investigator for the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Roche is a member of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators, and the Florida Association of Licensed Private Investigators. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Westfield State College, his master’s in criminal justice from the American International College and his doctorate in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Jeremy Wehby
Wehby, of Plantation, is the president of Grounds Group Landscaping, a family-owned and operated commercial landscape and maintenance company. He has been a member of the Broward County Marine Advisory Board, Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board for the City of Plantation and Chairman of the Agricultural Board for the town of Davie. Wehby earned his bachelor’s degree in economics, marketing and advertising from the University of Miami.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
