It was a busy Wednesday for Governor Ron DeSantis, who rolled out a sweeping series of appointments and reappointments to key state boards, tapping individuals from the worlds of real estate, higher education, and healthcare to fill seats across Florida’s regulatory landscape.
The flurry of announcements on Jan. 7 covered vacancies on the Florida Commission on Ethics, the Florida Transportation Commission, and several high-profile medical and educational governing bodies.
Perhaps the most recognizable name among the appointees is James “Bill” Heavener, the CEO of The Heavener Company and Co-Chairman of Full Sail University. Heavener was reappointed to the University of Florida Board of Trustees.
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A prominent figure in the state’s education sector, he also serves on the boards of the University of Florida Alumni Association and the Tim Tebow Foundation.
In South Florida, the Governor selected Stacy Plean for the Palm Beach State College District Board of Trustees. Plean, a Broker Associate with LoKation Real Estate and founder of The HomeSeeker Group, brings a background in public policy to the table, currently serving on the Florida Realtors Public Policy Committee.
Medical Board Moves
The Governor also turned his attention to the Board of Chiropractic Medicine, appointing Gary Kompothecras and reappointing Howard Baum.
Kompothecras, a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine and Manager of Physicians Group, LLC, is a well-known figure in the Sarasota area, having previously served on the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. He is joined by Baum, a self-employed Licensed Mental Health Counselor and retired U.S. Army Colonel. Baum currently works as a clinician for the Tampa Bay Regional Critical Incident Team.
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Ethics and Infrastructure
Two new faces are heading to the Florida Commission on Ethics. Joseph Oglesby, a Project Manager at SLSCO, LTD, and former bureau chief for the Florida Department of Commerce, received the nod alongside Abbey Stewart.
Stewart currently serves as Vice President of Programs & Planning at Leadership Florida and previously held a leadership role within the Florida Department of Education.
Rounding out the Wednesday appointments, John Good was named to the Florida Transportation Commission. Good, the CFO of Good Capital Group, is already active in state leadership roles as a member of the Seminole State College District Board of Trustees.
All of Wednesday’s appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
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