Staff Reports
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity chief of staff Jim Poppell will be the next Secretary of the Lottery, Gov. Rick Scott‘s office announced Thursday.
The Lottery’s profits go into the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund, which pays for Florida Bright Futures Scholarships, among other things.
“During his time at DEO, Jim has helped provide Florida families and businesses with the support they need to succeed,” Scott said in a statement. “I am confident that Jim will continue the Lottery’s focus on fighting for students and achieving record sales to invest in our education system. I look forward to working with him to further support Florida students.”
Poppell starts July 10, taking over from David Mica Jr., the Lottery‘s chief of staff who was interim secretary. The vacancy was created by the departure of former Secretary Tom Delacenserie, now president and CEO of the Kentucky Lottery.
Poppell, an attorney, also has been DEO’s General Counsel.
He’s held leadership positions at NextEra Energy from 2008-10 and Florida Power & Light from 2006-08, a press release said. Poppell also was a minister for 21 years in the Churches of Christ.
He received his undergraduate degree from Eckerd College, a graduate degree from Spring Arbor University and a law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.
