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Governor Rick Scott announces Brad Piepenbrink as Chief of Staff

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Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Brad Piepenbrink as Chief of Staff of the Governor’s Office beginning today, March 26th. Jackie Schutz Zeckman resigned yesterday and will be pursuing other opportunities.

Governor Scott said, “Brad has done an incredible job in the many important positions he has held throughout my administration. He effectively ran our external affairs operation which has consisted of thousands of events across the state and has led the development of significant policy initiatives throughout my time in office. Brad also oversaw the appointments process of individuals to more than 600 boards and commissions. He was also a key component of my successful reelection efforts and has been critical to carrying out my agenda to make Florida the best state for families and job creators.

“Jackie has been on my team since my first year in office and has been a trusted and loyal advisor. During her time in the Governor’s Office, she led communications efforts and helped lead my legislative strategy during last year’s special legislative session and this year’s session where we secured many victories for Florida families. She also spent years as traveling press secretary where she has coordinated our communications efforts in every Florida media market, and in other states and nations during our economic development missions. She has been dedicated to implementing my agenda throughout my time as Governor and I know she will continue to do great things for our state.”

Brad Piepenbrink most recently served as deputy chief of staff in the Governor’s Office where he oversaw the Governor’s policy development over the environment, health care, transportation, law enforcement and emergency management and was also the director of the Office of External Affairs. Piepenbrink served in this role since the Governor’s reelection in 2014. Prior to this, he served as political director for Governor Scott’s reelection campaign.

During the Governor’s first term in office, Piepenbrink served as Governor Scott’s Director of External Affairs, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of Education, and travel-aide to the Governor. Earlier in his career, he also served Senate President Andy Gardiner in the Senate Majority Office and was the legislative aide to Senate President Pro Tempore Garrett Richter. He began his career working for John McCain’s Presidential Campaign in 2008. Piepenbrink holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida Gulf Coast University and MBA from the University of Florida.

CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Appointment of Ryan West as Chief of Staff

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Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis today announced the appointment of Ryan West as Chief of Staff, effective later this month.
CFO Patronis said, “Ryan has been a trusted member of my team since day one, and there is no one better suited to serve as my second in command. His instincts and experience have afforded him the tools to do the job, and I have full confidence that he will successfully lead our team for years to come.”
Before joining the CFO’s Office, West most recently served as Chief Advisor to then-Commissioner Patronis at the Public Service Commission (PSC). In that role, Ryan was charged with overseeing policy areas that included electric energy, water and wastewater systems, natural gas and telecommunications. Additionally, he monitored and advised the Commissioner on significant energy policy shifts in state, national and international arenas. He has also served as Chief Advisor to Commissioners Ronald A. Brisé and Ben “Steve” Stevens III.
Public Service Commission Chairman Julie Brown said, “As a member of the Public Service Commission team, Ryan was laser-focused on ensuring the prudent use of ratepayers’ money. His ability to secure solutions to the complex issues facing Florida makes him a fitting choice for Chief of Staff, and he will serve our state well.”
Prior to the PSC, West led the Florida House of Representative’s Economic Development and Tourism Subcommittee as Policy Chief.
Former House Speaker Will Weatherford said, “I’ve seen Ryan’s work first-hand, and I’ve watched him become one of Florida’s leading economic development experts. While serving in the House of Representatives, he helped members prepare priority legislation on topics like tourism and job creation, community redevelopment and affordable housing–all of which are critical to keeping Florida moving forward. I know he’ll make a great Chief of Staff.”
Ryan honed his economic development skill set early in his career, while serving as the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s Director of Economic Development and Education Policy. There he crafted portions of the Chamber’s legislative agenda and served as the Chamber’s lead lobbyist on legislation that included top-tier topics, such as teacher merit pay, digital learning and charter schools, and tax relief packages for Florida businesses.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Master’s of Science degree in Applied American Politics and Policy from Florida State University. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Kim, and young son, Parker.

Commissioner Altmaier Welcomes New Chief of Staff to the Office of Insurance Regulation

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Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Yaworsky as the new Chief of Staff for the Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) effective Monday, July 24, 2017.
“Mr. Yaworsky has a wide range of experience serving in state government positions both in Florida and Georgia. This public service background combined with his exceptional leadership abilities will be a tremendous asset to the Office. I look forward to his counsel and on working with him to implement strategies to bolster the administrative and operational functions of the Office,” stated Commissioner Altmaier.
Since 2015, Mr. Yaworsky served as Legal Counsel for the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, where he was responsible for advising the Commissioner and senior staff on policy decisions and performing administrative, regulatory and litigation duties associated with the legal unit. He also served as General Counsel for the Office of President Pro Tempore in the Georgia Senate from 2013 – 2015.
Mr. Yaworsky has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from Florida State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. He has been a member of the Georgia Bar since 2014.