Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a wave of local education appointments on Friday, naming several business and medical professionals to the boards of two major regional institutions. In a separate state action on the same day, the governor ordered flags across Florida to fly at half-staff for the upcoming Memorial Day holiday.
The leadership changes affect both Northwest Florida State College and Pensacola State College. For the Northwest Florida State College District Board of Trustees, DeSantis appointed two new members and retained two others.
Todd Jackson, the Chief Executive Officer of HCA Florida Twin Cities Hospital, and Jonathan Ochs, the Coastal Region President at Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company, are the new additions to the board. Megan Harrison, CEO of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Jon Ward, a dermatologist with Dermatology Specialists of Florida, both received reappointments to continue their service.
Meanwhile, Pensacola State College’s board is adding Charles “Rick” Byars and Brooke Snyder. Byars works as a Senior External Affairs Manager for Florida Power and Light Company, while Snyder serves as an adjunct professor at Liberty University. All of these educational board appointments must still be formally confirmed by the Florida Senate before taking effect.
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Alongside the education board announcements, DeSantis issued a state memorandum to the Director of Real Estate Development and Management regarding Memorial Day observances. The directive orders both the United States and State of Florida flags to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds. The flags will be lowered from sunrise until noon on Monday, May 25, 2026.
In the official statement, DeSantis emphasized the meaning behind the state order, saying, “On Memorial Day, we honor the heroes of the United States Military who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. May we never forget the selfless bravery of the men and women who have laid down their lives to protect their fellow citizens. Our hearts are full of gratitude for their unwavering commitment to protecting this Nation’s freedom in the face of grave danger.”
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