Governor Rick Scott issued a statement today in response to the death of Floridian and Air Force 1st Lt. Frederick Dellecker following the crash of a reconnaissance and surveillance plane during a training flight in New Mexico earlier this week. Governor Scott will honor the memory and sacrifice of 1st Lt. Dellecker by ordering the lowering of flags in the coming days.
Governor Scott said, “Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of 1st Lt. Frederick Dellecker and we pray that they may find comfort and healing during this incredibly difficult time. The loss of any of our brave service members is a heartbreaking tragedy, and we are proud and humbled by 1st Lt. Dellecker’s decision to serve our country and defend our freedom as a member of the U.S. Air Force. 1st Lt. Dellecker will be remembered as a hero and my wife Ann and I join all of Florida in honoring his sacrifice.”
Gov. Rick Scott
Gov. Scott Announces Resignation of DMS Secretary Chad Poppell
Governor Rick Scott today announced Secretary Chad Poppell’s resignation from the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS), which will be effective on March 31, 2017. He has served in this role since 2014. An Interim Secretary will be announced in the coming days.
Governor Scott said, “Chad Poppell has done an outstanding job as Secretary of DMS and I want to thank him for his hard work to improve efficiency and foster innovation in state government. Under his leadership, Florida has remained a leader in government efficiency and provided the critical support to our state agencies to ensure Florida families and businesses receive the services and support they need. Chad has been a valued member of my team since 2013 and I am proud of the great work he has done for Florida families. I wish Chad and his family the very best in their future endeavors.”
Prior to his appointment as Secretary, Chad Poppell served as the Chief of Staff for the Department of Economic Opportunity. From 2011-2013, he worked as the Director of Employee Services at JEA, a municipally owned electric, water, and sewer provider in Jacksonville. Prior to that, he was appointed by Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton as the Chief of Human Resources for the City of Jacksonville. Poppell received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Valdosta State University.
ICYMI: WESH: Gov. Scott: Every Citizen Should be Outraged at State Attorney Ayala's Actions
“Gov. Scott: Every Citizen Should be Outraged at State Attorney Ayala’s Actions”
WESH-ORD (NBC) – Orlando, FL
March 16, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Gov. Scott: State Attorney Aramis Ayala Must Recuse Herself
Governor Rick Scott released the following statement on State Attorney Aramis Ayala’s decision not to seek the death penalty for Markeith Loyd, who is charged with killing Lt. Debra Clayton of the Orlando Police Department.
Governor Scott said, “I want to be very clear, Lt. Debra Clayton was executed while she was laying on the ground fighting for her life. She was killed by an evil murderer who did not think twice about senselessly ending her life. I completely disagree with State Attorney Ayala’s decision and comments and I am asking her to recuse herself immediately from this case. She has made it abundantly clear that she will not fight for justice for Lt. Debra Clayton and our law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day.”
ICYMI: WMBB: Gov. Scott and the Tourism Industry Rally for VISIT FLORIDA Funding
“Gov. Scott and the Tourism Industry Rally for VISIT FLORIDA Funding”
WMBB (ABC) – Panama City, FL
March 14, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Gov. Scott Announces Cosentino to Relocate Americas Headquarters from Texas to Florida
Governor Rick Scott today announced Cosentino, a global leader in natural stone, quartz, and recycled surfacing, is relocating its Americas Headquarters from Sugarland, Texas to Coral Gables. The relocation will create 85 new jobs and invest more than $1 million in the local community. Cosentino currently employs 60 Floridians across three distribution locations in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Lauderhill. The company also plans to open a design center in the Miami Design District.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Cosentino will be relocating their Americas Headquarters from Texas to Florida and creating 85 new jobs for our families. This announcement would not be possible without the help of Enterprise Florida and shows the incredibly important role EFI has in out-competing other states like Texas to bring new job opportunities to our state. I am excited to welcome Cosentino to Florida and look forward to their future success.”
Cosentino Group, a family-owned company from Spain, is a worldwide producer and distributer of high-value innovative surfaces for architecture and design. The company currently employs more than 3,700 people worldwide, including 1,200 in the U.S. The new Americas Headquarters will house a management office with finance and sales personnel.
CEO Eduardo Cosentino said, “Miami’s location offers key strategic advantages to continue targeting the Americas. The entrepreneurial and innovative workforce in Miami better positions us to provide new products and designs that are both sustainable and advanced. Our partners at Enterprise Florida and the Miami-Dade Beacon Council helped make this move a reality, and we could not have found a better place to do business.”
This project was made possible through the close partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the City of Coral Gables, CareerSource Florida and local colleges and universities.
Mike Grissom, interim President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc., said, “Cosentino is a great company and I am excited to see them bring their Americas headquarters to Miami as well as the 85 jobs that will now be right here in Florida. Our state is an amazing place to live, work and raise a family, and companies like Cosentino recognize this. I am happy to welcome them to Florida and look forward to their continued success.”
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “I am proud that after growing its distribution business in Florida, Cosentino has recognized the value in moving its Americas Headquarters to the Sunshine State. Miami’s unmatched global resources and talented workforce are working to attract companies like Cosentino to our state every day.”
Jaret L. Davis, chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, said, “Cosentino is exactly the type of company whose business aligns with Miami-Dade’s focus on innovation. The family-owned company has stayed at the top of its game by developing innovative products that provide significant utility and sustainability without sacrificing design. We’re pleased to welcome them to Miami-Dade and excited about the impact of 85 additional high-wage jobs.”
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses. EFI launched “Florida – The Future is Here” to promote the state as the nation’s premier business destination.
The Miami-Dade Beacon Council is the county’s official economic development partnership. The not-for-profit public-private organization focuses on job creation and economic growth. Since 1985, the organization has assisted more than 1,000 businesses that have created nearly 67,000 direct jobs and added more than $4.3 billion in new capital investments. It accomplishes this by marketing Miami-Dade as a world-class business location, growing local companies and shaping the local economy’s future. For more information, visit www.beaconcouncil.com
About the Cosentino Group
The Cosentino Group is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for architecture and design. As a leading company, Cosentino imagines and anticipates together with its customers and partners design solutions that offer value and inspiration to people’ lives. This goal is made possible by pioneering brands that are leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone®, Dekton® and Sensa by Cosentino®. Technologically advanced surfaces, which allow the creation of unique designs for the home and public spaces. The group bases its development on international expansion, an innovative research and development program, respect for the environment and sustainability, and its ongoing corporate commitment to society and the local communities where it operates, education, equality and health & safety. The Cosentino Group currently distributes its products and brands in more than 80 countries, from its headquarters in Almeria (Spain). Currently Cosentino is present in 32 countries, with its own assets in 29 of them. The group has seven factories (six in Almería, Spain, and one in Brazil), one intelligent logistic platform in Spain, and more than 120 commercial and business units throughout the world. More than 90% of Cosentino Group’s financial turnover comes from international markets.
Gov. Rick Scott to Host Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable in Sarasota
Tomorrow, March 16, Governor Rick Scott will host a Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable with business owners, economic development leaders, tourism leaders, and community members to discuss the local economic impact of VISIT FLORIDA and Enterprise Florida.
WHAT: Fighting for Florida Jobs Roundtable
WHEN: 9:30 AM
WHERE: PropLogix
1651 Whitfield Avenue, Suite 101
Sarasota, FL 34232
ICYMI: WTXL: Gov. Scott continues fighting for EFI and VISIT FLORIDA
“Gov. Scott continues fighting for EFI and VISIT FLORIDA”
WTXL (ABC) – Tallahassee, FL
March 14, 2017
To view the clip, click HERE.
Gov. Scott and Volunteer Florida Present Champion of Service Award at Florida Cabinet Meeting
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott and Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman awarded David Eischeid with the Volunteer Florida Champion of Service Award, Florida’s official statewide volunteer recognition.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am honored to present David with the Champion of Service Award today. I applaud David’s commitment to the well-being of Florida’s children and families. His hard work with The Children’s Home Network has helped improved lives throughout his community.”
Volunteer Florida Chief Executive Officer Chester W. Spellman said, “Volunteer Florida is proud to recognize David for his tireless commitment to Florida’s at-risk children and underserved families. We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize his service to children and families.”
About the Champion of Service
David Eischeid served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Children’s Home Network from 2013-2016. Under David’s leadership, The Children’s Home Network established a new maternity home for pregnant or parenting teens within the foster care system that can serve up to 20 teens; expanded its residential program to serve children and youth needing relocation to other areas of the country; and expanded services into Osceola County and Orange County.
Volunteer Florida is the Governor’s lead agency for volunteerism and national service in Florida, administering more than $32 million in federal, state, and local funding to deliver high-impact national service and volunteer programs in Florida. Volunteer Florida promotes and encourages volunteerism to meet critical needs across the state. Volunteer Florida also serves as Florida’s lead agency for volunteers and donations before, during, and after disasters. For more information, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org.
Governor Rick Scott Recognizes Three Educators with Governor’s Shine Award
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized three outstanding educators with the Governor’s Shine Award. The Shine Award is presented to teachers and administrators in Florida who make significant contributions to the field of education. The educators honored today were recognized for their commitment to student success and to furthering their professional skills.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to present these three educators with the Shine Award today. Every day, Florida’s teachers go above and beyond to educate Florida’s students so they are prepared for higher education and careers. I applaud these educators for their dedication to ensuring the success of Florida’s future leaders.”
The following educators were presented with the Governor’s Shine Awards:
Demetria Clemons, Leon County – Clemons is principal of Sealey Elementary School in Tallahassee. Clemons is in her first year as a member of the Commissioner’s Leadership Academy, and in 2013 Clemons was recognized as Leon County School’s Joe Glick Administrator of the Year.
Lukas Hefty, Pinellas County – Hefty has been an educator for 11 years and is currently the Engineering Program Coordinator at Douglas L. Jamerson Elementary School in St. Petersburg. In January 2017, he was honored by the Milken Family Foundation for his work in developing the school’s nationally recognized STEM curriculum.
Brandon Wright, Hernando County – Wright teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Micro/Macroeconomics, AP U.S. Government, International Baccalaureate Economics and Economics with Financial Literacy at F. W. Springstead High School in Brooksville. He is the 2016 Hernando County District Teacher of the Year.