Gov. Scott announces two judicial, 17 board appointments

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott announced two judicial appointments and named 17 to a variety of state boards and commissions.

Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court

Scott began by naming Hunter Carroll and Brian Iten to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court.

Carroll, 40, of Sarasota, is currently an attorney with Matthews Eastmoore practicing commercial litigation. He previously practiced with Carlton & Carroll from 2005-2008 and with Carlton Fields from 2002-2005. Carroll began his legal career as the Senior Staff Attorney to Chief Justice Wells of the Florida Supreme Court. Carroll is the president–elect of the Sarasota County Bar Association and has been recognized in the Best Lawyers and Florida Legal Elite publications. He fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge James S. Parker.

“Hunter brings a broad understanding of the law and experience to the bench,” Scott said. “I am honored to appoint him to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court.”

Iten, 49, of Parrish, has served as the Assistant State Attorney for the Twelfth Circuit State Attorney’s Office since 1994. He is also an Adjunct Instructor at State College of Florida and an Instructor at the Law Enforcement Academy at Manatee Technical College. Iten is the 2014 recipient of the Jim Slater Award for Professionalism in the Practice of Criminal Law. Iten fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Peter A. Dubensky.

“I am confident Brian will continue his dedicated service to Florida families,” Scott said. “His years of experience will serve him well on the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court.”

St. Johns County Clerk of Courts

Next, Scott announced the appointment of Hunter Conrad as the St. Johns County C the example lerk of Courts.

Conrad, 29, of St. Augustine, is an attorney at Canan Law and previously worked as an assistant state attorney in the Seventh Judicial Circuit. He is also a member of the Jacksonville, St. Johns County, and Florida Bar associations. Conrad volunteers with several organizations including the Rotary Club of St. Johns County, the United Way of St. Johns County, and the Women’s Refuge of St. Johns County. He is appointed to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Cheryl Strickland, for a term ending Jan. 2, 2017.

Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority

Scott appointed Daniel Alvarez and reappointed Rebecca Smith to the Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority.

Alvarez, of Seffner, is a managing member of The Alvarez Legal Group and an adjunct professor at the University of Tampa. He is the current Tampa Hispanic Heritage Hispanic Man of the Year. He previously served as a member of the Hillsborough Children’s Services Advisory Board. Alvarez succeeds Curtis Stokes for a term ending July 1, 2017.

Smith, of Tampa, is the president and owner of The AD Morgan Corporation and the founder and president of WoofGang Solutions. She currently serves as a member of Leadership Florida and is a previous recipient of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for real estate and construction. Smith previously served as a member of the PRIDE board of directors, the chair of both the City of Tampa Variance Review Board and the Governor’s Council for Small and Minority Business. She is reappointed for a term ending July 1, 2019.

Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Jacksonville Transportation Authority

Scott also named Lillie “Denise” Wallace and reappointed Scott McCaleb to the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.

Wallace, 62, of Neptune Beach, is the founder and president of BCM Services. She currently serves as a member of the Duval County Value Adjustment Board and previously served as the chair of the Duval County Housing Finance Authority and the member of the Jacksonville Housing Commission. Wallace succeeds Edward Burr for a term ending May 31, 2019.

McCaleb, 63, of Jacksonville Beach, is the president of Vulcan Lands Incorporated. He currently serves as a member of the University of North Florida Foundation Board, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and as the past chair of the Gator Bowl Association. McCaleb is reappointed for a term ending May 31, 2019.

Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council

Scott reappointed Mark Fontaine and Kimberly Spence to the Statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council, which helps coordinate the state’s drug control efforts. The council’s role includes education on substance abuse and available services, as well as developing a strategy to coordinate state agencies on drug control.

Fontaine, 65, of Tallahassee, is the executive director for the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association. He is reappointed for a term ending Sept. 6, 2019.

Spence, 39, of Panama City, is the chief executive officer of Nonsecure Programs Inc. and Keeton Corrections Inc. She is reappointed for a term ending Sept. 6, 2019.

Lake Shore Hospital Authority of Columbia County

Scott named Brandon Beil to the Lake Shore Hospital Authority of Columbia County.

Beil, 29, of Lake City, is a location manager for Southwest Georgia Oil Company. He fills a vacant seat for a term ending July 19, 2019.

North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners

Scott announced one appointment and one reappointment to the North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners.

Rocky Rodriguez, 69, of Fort Lauderdale, is a Realtor for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Florida First. He is the former Property Appraiser of Broward County as well as a United States Army Veteran. Rodriguez is reappointed for a term ending July 13, 2019.

Christopher Ure, 45, of Weston, is a senior vice president of wealth management at UBS Financial Services. He is appointed for a term ending July 20, 2019.

Gulf Coast State College District Board of Trustees

Scott next announced one appointment and one reappointment to the Gulf Coast State College District board of trustees. Gulf Coast State College is located in Panama City and serves Bay County.

Thomas Lewis, 57, of Lynn Haven, is the owner of Tom Lewis Agency LLC. He succeeds Leah Dunn and is appointed for a term ending May 31, 2019.

James McKnight, 63, of Wewahitchka, is the assistant hospital administrator of Florida State Hospital. He is reappointed for a term ending May 31, 2019.

Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises, Inc. Board of Directors

Scott named James Upchurch and reappointed Alan Garey to the Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises, Inc. Board of directors. PRIDE is a private, nonprofit company operating Agriculture, Sewn Products, Graphics, Manufacturing and Services facilities throughout Florida. The organization operates 41 training centers for services to inmates in 29 state correctional facilities.

Upchurch, 67, of Tallahassee, is the former assistant secretary for institutions for the Florida Department of Corrections. He fills a vacant seat for a term ending Sept. 30, 2017.

Garey, 52, of Parkland, is the president and chief executive officer of Decimal Engineering. He is reappointed for a term ending Sept. 30, 2019.

Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Diabetes Advisory Council

Scott named Marci Knauss to the Diabetes Advisory Council, which helps guide the state’s comprehensive approach to diabetes prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and impact.

Knauss, 56, of Mount Dora, is a retired teacher from Lake Brantley High School. She succeeds Todd Steibly for a term ending July 1, 2016.

Lake-Sumter State College District Board of Trustees

Lastly, Scott made one appointment and one reappointment to the Lake-Sumter State College District board of trustees. Lake-Sumter State College offers classes at campuses in Leesburg, Sumterville and Clermont.

Jennifer Hill, 62, of Leesburg, previously served on the Lake County Board of County Commissioners from 2000 to 2012 and as a member of the Lake-Sumter State College Foundation Board. She succeeds Richard Bowersox for a term ending May 31, 2019.

Peter Wahl, 70, of The Villages, is the District 33 aide for the Florida House of Representatives. Previously, he served as the community projects director and district manager for The Villages Community Development District. Wahl is reappointed for a term ending May 31, 2019.

Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.