Governor Ron DeSantis announced a series of appointments and reappointments Friday to several important boards and commissions in Florida, filling spots with local leaders, educators, health care professionals, and public servants from around the state.
In Holmes County, the governor appointed April Busby to the Holmes County Hospital Corporation and reappointed Cynthia Brooks, Jerry Dixon, Amanda Eldridge, and Jennie Goodman.
Busby works as the Northwest Florida Substance Abuse and Mental Health Supervisor for the Florida Department of Children and Families. She previously held roles there as Regional Collaboration Coordinator, Monitoring and Technical Assistance Analyst, and Human Services Program Specialist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Troy University.
Brooks, now retired, taught in Holmes County Public Schools and belongs to the American Society for Clinical Pathology. She holds a bachelor’s in medical technology from the University of West Florida and a master’s from Florida State University.
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Dixon, also retired, served as a principal in Holmes County Public Schools and spent more than 55 years as a county resident. He formerly sat on the Holmes County School Board. His degrees include an associate’s from Chipola College, a bachelor’s from Florida State University, and a master’s from Troy University.
Eldridge serves as Partner and Director of Operations for School Financial Services, Inc. She previously worked as a Civil and Criminal Court Clerk for the Walton County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office. She attended Holmes County High School.
Goodman works as a Relief Pharmacist for Pancare/Goldens and previously served on the Chipola College District Board of Trustees. She earned an associate degree from Chipola College and a bachelor’s in pharmacy from the University of Florida.
Separately, DeSantis appointed Khari James and Emilie Oglesby to the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking.
James acts as Senior Legal Counsel for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation and teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Florida State University College of Law. She earlier served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida and as a Human Trafficking Attorney for Legal Services of North Florida. She received her bachelor’s in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida and her law degree from Florida State University.
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Oglesby is the Deputy Secretary of Business Regulation at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Her past positions include Assistant Deputy Secretary of Florida Commerce, External Affairs Manager at the State Board of Administration, and Director of Communications and External Affairs at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. She earned her bachelor’s from Auburn University.
For the Board of Control for Southern Regional Education, the governor appointed Melissa Matz and Mel Ponder.
Matz teaches at Lakeside Junior High School in Clay County. In 2023, she was named Florida’s Teacher of the Year and later served as the state’s Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education.
Ponder serves as President of Northwest Florida State College. He previously won election to the Florida House of Representatives for District 4 and to the Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University.
In the Florida Keys, DeSantis appointed Stephen Oppenheimer and reappointed Stephen Hammond to the Lower Florida Keys Hospital District.
Oppenheimer, an optometrist, owns the Oppenheimer Eye Clinic in Key West and sits on the Florida Keys Lions Club Board of Directors. He earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from the University of Florida and a doctorate in optometry from the University of Houston.
Hammond works as a realtor at Lokation Real Estate and serves with the Key West Association of Realtors. He holds a bachelor’s in business and finance and a master’s in business administration from Samford University.
The governor also appointed Thomas Lowther to the Indian River County Mosquito Control District.
Lowther owns and operates Lowther Funeral Home and participates in the Sunrise Rotary Club, Vero Masonic Lodge, and Salvation Army Advisory Board. He earned an associate degree in mortuary science from Miami Dade College.
Finally, Jordan Keller received an appointment to the Sarasota County Charter Review Board.
Keller works as a Parts Coordinator for Marine Concepts. A U.S. Air Force veteran who received the Armed Forces Service Medal, he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in construction management from Everglades University.
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