Florida News Straight From the Source
In June at the Florida Association of Special Districts’ (FASD) annual conference, the organization reached the conclusion of its yearly board election process, resulting in 13 returning board members and four new members. [Read more…] about Florida Association of Special Districts Announces 2019-2020 Board of Directors
Wednesday and Thursday, March 14-15, the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors will hold its first board meeting of 2018 in West Palm Beach at the Embassy Suites Hotel.
What: Board Committee Meetings and Full Board of Directors Meeting
When: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 @ 1:45 PM – Thursday, March 15, 2018 @ 9:00 AM
Where: Embassy Suites
1601 Belvedere Road
West Palm Beach, FL, 33406
The Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) Board of Directors today voted unanimously to approve Peter Antonacci as the new President & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. Antonacci will also serve as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce. He will begin his new role with EFI on August 2.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud that the entire EFI Board voted to select Pete Antonacci as their new President and CEO. Pete has a long record of success and has demonstrated an incredible commitment to helping make our state the best place for families and job creators. I am confident that his experience as the executive director at the South Florida Water Management District and as my office’s general counsel will make him a great leader for EFI as he fights to bring more jobs to Florida every day. I commend the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors for nominating such a great leader, and I know Pete will help utilize the new $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to compete for new job opportunities on behalf of Florida families.”
Antonacci will be leaving his current role of Executive Director at the South Florida Water Management District where he spent the last two years leading the District in carrying out its mission to balance and improve flood control, water supply, water quality and natural systems across the region. The SFWMD is one of the largest water management systems in the world.
“I am privileged to lead Enterprise Florida forward in its mission of job creation,” said Pete Antonacci, President & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. “As a 60-year Floridian and having served Florida for much of my professional career, I am enthusiastic to begin competing with other states and nations to ensure that when companies create jobs, they do so right here in Florida.”
In addition to serving as Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District, Antonacci previously served as General Counsel to Governor Scott from 2013 to 2015 and in 2012 served as State Attorney in Palm Beach County. He also served as a Governing Board member at the Northwest Florida Water Management District, as Statewide Prosecutor of Florida and Deputy Attorney General. Raised in Hialeah, he attended Hialeah High School and Miami Dade College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University as well as his Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law.
Stan Connally, EFI Board Vice-Chair said, “We are fortunate to have Pete leading the team at EFI. His reputation and track record speak for themselves, and I look forward to seeing the impact of his leadership as he works with the team to continue bringing good, high-paying jobs to Florida.”
SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Dan O’Keefe said, “Pete Antonacci has been a tremendous leader who worked tirelessly every day to advance our restoration goals and protect all 8.1 million South Florida residents. The Governing Board would like to thank him for all that was accomplished and we look forward to what he will be able to do for Florida in his new role.”
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Pete Antonacci is a great leader and will bring the best of public service and private sector experience to Enterprise Florida. I am looking forward to continuing our partnership with Enterprise Florida under his leadership as we promote Florida’s incredible business climate, including the new Job Growth Grant Fund, to grow jobs and opportunities for Floridians.”
Florida Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart) today announced the appointment of Ken Kahn to the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors. Mr. Kahn’s appointment begins immediately and expires on July 5, 2021.
“Ken understands firsthand the opportunities available to businesses seeking to locate or expand here in Florida,” said President Negron. “He has a strong educational background and the diverse business and community service experiences needed to excel in this position. I am confident Ken will be a strong advocate for Florida businesses, and I am grateful that he has agreed to join the Enterprise Florida Team in this important capacity.”
Mr. Kahn is the President of LRP Publications, a legal and professional publishing company. An active member of his community, Mr. Kahn serves on the Palm Beach County Education Commission and the Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness. He also serves on the executive committees of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Economic Council of Palm Beach County, and Kravis Center Corporate Partners. He is an active member of the Florida Council of 100.
Mr. Kahn graduated from Cornell University and Harvard Law School. He has five children and currently resides in Palm Beach Gardens with his wife and two daughters.
Florida Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart) today appointed Jason Shoaf of Port St. Joe to the Board of Directors of Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc. Mr. Shoaf serves as the Vice President of St. Joe Natural Gas Company.
“Jason Shoaf is a lifelong resident of the Florida Panhandle with deep roots in Gulf County. He has a passion for the community and is committed to seeing the full economic recovery of Northwest Florida,” said President Negron. “His business background and record of service to his community make him an excellent addition to the already prestigious board of directors.”
“For the better part of the last decade, our communities have been feeling the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The legislation we passed earlier this year affirms our longstanding commitment to keep these critical funds in Northwest Florida,” said Senator Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee), who represents Gulf County in the Florida Senate. “Jason Shoaf is a family man and community leader who will be a great advocate for, not only Gulf County, but our entire region.”
Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature unanimously passed and Governor Scott signed into law House Bill 7077, which amended the Gulf Coast Economic Corridor Act to ensure funds received in the settlement of the state’s economic damage claims caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill remain in Northwest Florida’s eight disproportionately affected counties.
The eight disproportionally affected counties receive 75 percent of all economic damage settlement funds received by the state. House Bill 7077 immediately appropriates the initial settlement payment to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., and releases subsequent settlement payments directly to Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., no later than 30 days after they are received by the state. As required by the new law, the initial settlement payment of $300 million has been dispersed to Triumph Gulf Coast.
Former House Speaker Allan Bense chairs the board. He is joined on the board by Stan Connally Jr., Pam Dana, Stephen Riggs IV, and Bob Bonezzi. The President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Governor, Attorney General, and Chief Financial Officer, each appointed one board member.
House Bill 7077 requires the addition of two new appointees to the current five-member board, expanding the board to seven members. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives must each appoint an additional member from the private sector in one of the four least populous disproportionately affected counties ensure that two such counties are represented on the board.
Background:
In 2013, the Legislature created Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., to ensure economic damage settlement funds coming to the state would both benefit the eight disproportionately affected counties and be properly accounted for. The Triumph Gulf Coast Board is tasked to make awards to programs and projects that meet the priorities for economic recovery, diversification, and enhancement of the disproportionately affected counties. The corporation is required to abide by the state’s public record laws and public meeting notice requirements.
The eight Florida counties disproportionately affected by the Deepwater Horizon Spill include: Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Wakulla Counties.
The Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) 2017-18 Board of Directors was installed last week in Panama City Beach during the organization’s annual summer conference. Led by the incoming President, Franklin County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller Marcia M. Johnson, board members will serve one-year terms.
Executive Committee Officers include Palm Beach County Clerk Sharon R. Bock, Esq. (President-Elect), Polk County Clerk Stacy M. Butterfield, CPA (Vice President), Clay County Clerk Tara S. Green (Treasurer) and Manatee County Clerk Angelina “Angel” Colonneso, Esq. (Secretary).
District Directors include Gulf County Clerk Rebecca “Becky” L. Norris (District I), Taylor County Clerk Annie Mae Murphy (District II), Columbia County Clerk P. DeWitt Cason (District III), Hernando County Clerk Don Barbee Jr., Esq. (District IV), Orange County Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq. (District V), Pinellas County Clerk Ken Burke, CPA (District VI) and Lee County Clerk Linda Doggett (District VII).
The Immediate Past President of FCCC is Nassau County Clerk John A. Crawford.
“I am deeply honored to be this year’s President of our outstanding organization, as well as a member of its first all-female Executive Committee,” Clerk Johnson said. “I look forward to working shoulder to shoulder with the clerks and comptrollers of Florida’s 67 counties and leading the Association to be the strongest and the best it can be.”
Established in 1969, the Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) is a statewide, nonprofit member association comprised of the Florida Clerks of the Circuit Court and Comptrollers. FCCC provides local government support services, technical assistance and accreditation opportunities for all members of the association. For more information, visit www.flclerks.com.
During its recent annual conference and academy, the Florida Association of City Clerks (FACC) elected new officers and members of its Board of Directors. The conference was held at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, bringing together members of the professional association for city clerks and deputy clerks. Created in 1972, FACC is affiliated with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Institute of Government.
The 2017-2018 FACC Board of Directors includes:
President: Gwen Keough-Johns, MMC; City Clerk, Mount Dora
President-Elect: Pamela Latimore, CMC; City Clerk, North Miami Beach
Vice President: Bea Meeks, MMC, City Clerk, City of Edgewood
Northeast Director: Donna Hardin, CMC; Town Clerk, Town of Branford
Northwest Director: Leslie Howington, CMC; Town Clerk, Century
Central East Director: Patricia Burke, MMC; Town Clerk, Palm Shores
Central West Director: Cheryl Mooney, MMC; City Clerk, Temple Terrace
Southeast Director: Debra Buff, MMC, City Clerk, Belle Glade
Southwest Director: Stacey Johnston, MMC; City Clerk, Holmes Beach
Immediate Past President: Chevelle D. Nubin, MMC; Village Clerk, Village of Wellington
Officers and directors serve one-year terms running from June to June, to coincide with the annual business meeting held at the conference and academy.
The Board of Directors meets monthly (either in person or via conference calls) to conduct the association’s business, and is guided by the FACC Strategic Plan.
The Florida Association of City Clerks (FACC) is a professional association comprised of more than 500 municipal clerks representing Florida’s cities, towns, villages, and special districts. Membership in FACC provides an array of benefits including extensive and superior educational offerings through various outlets including state academies, localized district mini-academies, webinars, and Athenian dialogues.
FACC prides itself on providing high-quality education and networking outlets to ensure our members have the proper knowledge and backgrounds necessary to serve their communities.
Special Olympics Florida today announced that Paul Thein, President and CEO of the Greater Naples YMCA, has joined the Special Olympics Florida Board of Directors.
“Paul has an impressive business record and a true heart for service,” said President and CEO of Special Olympics Florida, Sherry Wheelock. “His experience as a coach, educator, and non-profit leader perfectly aligns with the goals of our organization and brings a great perspective to our Board.”
“It is an honor to be selected to represent Special Olympics Florida, an organization that provides such meaningful developmental and spiritual growth opportunities through wellness and sport,” said Thein.
During his three years as head of the Greater Naples YMCA, Thein has implemented a strong summer camp curriculum for children and developed after-school services in Title I schools. Under Thein’s leadership, the YMCA was totally renovated and rebuilt as a world-class Healthy Living Center in less than 20 months after a fire destroyed more than 70 percent of the building.
Before moving to Florida, Thein spent five years as head of the Waycross (Georgia) YMCA, where membership tripled and revenues doubled during his tenure. Thein brought about innovative advances in technology and community partnerships to make a positive impact. He also spearheaded a youth development and wellness initiative that sought to tackle childhood obesity.
During his career, Thein has also been a coach, educator, Dean of Students, Athletic Director, and Vice President at colleges in Minnesota, Kansas, and California. His passion and dedication to providing opportunities to underrepresented populations have garnered recognition by multiple organizations.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, a master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy, and an Educational Specialist’s Degree in Leadership from Pittsburg State University. He resides in Naples with his wife Shanon and their children Shalyn and Brody.
This Saturday, March 25, 2017, Special Olympics Florida Healthy Community will be hosting a Family Health Forum at the Greater Naples YMCA for Special Olympics athletes and anyone with an intellectual or developmental disability. For more information on the Family Health Forum, please contact Jasmine Green at [email protected] or 352-727-5097.
Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training, competition, and health services to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athletes or their caregivers, as a means to achieve physical fitness, self-esteem, socialization skills, and the life skills necessary to be productive, respected, and contributing members of their communities. To learn more, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org.
