Gov. Rick Scott releases names of 18 state board, judicial nominating appointments

appointments

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott released the names of 18 appointments, including four reappointments and ten individuals selected for a series of judicial nominating commissions.

Northwest Florida Water Management District

Scott began by announced three reappointments to the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

John Alter, 78, of Malone, is a manager with Alter-Bevis Farms LLC. He currently serves as a member of the Florida Forestry Association Board of Directors and previously served as a member of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Alter’s reappointment is for a term ending March 1, 2019.

Angus “Gus” Andrews, 59, of DeFuniak Springs, is the owner of Andrews Companies, Andrews & Arnsdoff Realty and Southern Beach Management. His reappointment is for a term ending March 1, 2019.

Nicholas “Nick” Patronis, 48, of Panama City Beach, is the owner of Captain Anderson’s. He currently serves as a member of the Life Management Center of Northwest Florida Inc Board of Directors, the Florida Restaurant Association, and the National Restaurant Association. Patronis attended Gulf Coast Community College. His reappointment is for a term ending March 1, 2019.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers

Scott then announced one appointment and four reappointments to the Florida Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers. The agency assists public and private agencies in a statewide system of coordinated programs for early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

LaKera Reddick, 34, of Midway, is a program administrator with the Agency for Health Care Administration. She fills a vacant seat for a term ending January 1, 2018.

Laurie Blades, 48, of Havana, is the deputy director for substance abuse mental health for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Her reappointment is for a term ending January 1, 2018.

Lourdes Quintana, 43, of Orlando, is a manager with Orlando Health and the director of the Central Florida Early Steps Program. Her reappointment is for a term ending January 1, 2018.

Kathleen Vergara, 73, of Coral Gables, is the director of the Debbie Institute at the University of Miami. Her reappointment is for a term ending January 1, 2018.

Ilene Wilkins, 53, of Orlando, is the chief executive officer of United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida. Her reappointment is for a term ending January 1, 2018.

Judicial Nominating Commissions

Lastly, Scott announced ten appointments to the Judicial Nominating Commissions.

Nominating Commissions are 26 separately constituted bodies responsible for providing the governor names of potential appointments to various state courts, including the Florida Supreme Court, the five Florida District Courts of Appeal, and twenty Florida Circuit Courts.

Third Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission

Carey D. Carmichael Jr., 36, of Lake City, is an Assistant State Attorney in the Third Judicial Circuit. He succeeds Joel Foreman, from a list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar, for a term ending July 1, 2018.

Adam J. Luther Morrison, 32, of Lake City, is a shareholder of Sellers, Taylor, & Morrison, P.A. He succeeds John Kendron, from a list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar, for ending July 1, 2018.

Joe C. Peavy, 83, of Madison, is a retired sheriff of Madison County. His reappointment is for a term ending July 1, 2018.

Fourth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission

Patrick J. Kilbane, 36, of Jacksonville, is a consultant and financial advisor with Ullmann Financial. He fills a vacant seat for a term ending July 1, 2016.

Eighteenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission

Donna C. Valin, 46, of Winter Park, is an Assistant Attorney General with the Florida Office of the Attorney General. She succeeds James Drake for a term ending July 1, 2018.

Sixth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission

Gary L. Davis, 59, of New Port Richey, has his own criminal law practice. He succeeds Marcus Castillo, from a list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar, for a term ending July 1, 2018.

Denis M. deVlaming, 67, of Clearwater, has his own real estate and probate practice. He succeeds Sean McQuaid, from a list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar, for a term ending July 1, 2018.

Twelfth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission

Hunter G. Norton, 39, of Bradenton, is an attorney with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. He succeeds Kathi Halvorsen, from a list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar, for a term ending July 1, 2018.

Varinia M. Van Ness, 48, of Sarasota, has her own criminal law practice. She succeeds Anthony Rolfes and is appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar for a term beginning March 13, 2015, and ending July 1, 2018.

Patrick K. Neal, 66, of Bradenton, is the principal of Neal Communities. His reappointment is for a term ending July 31, 2018.

Phil Ammann

Phil Ammann is a Tampa Bay-area journalist, editor and writer. With more than three decades of writing, editing, reporting and management experience, Phil produced content for both print and online, in addition to founding several specialty websites, including HRNewsDaily.com. His broad range includes covering news, local government, entertainment reviews, marketing and an advice column. Phil has served as editor and production manager for Extensive Enterprises Media since 2013 and lives in Tampa with his wife, visual artist Margaret Juul. He can be reached on Twitter @PhilAmmann or at [email protected].



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