Phil Ammann
On Wednesday, Gov. Rick Scott announced nine appointments to a variety of state boards and panels.
DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Scott began by naming Ashley Coone as the DeSoto County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
Coone, 33, of Arcadia, served as president of ASC Consulting and Marketing. She previously served as the executive director for DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce. Coone received her bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and master’s degree from Webster University. She is appointed to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Mitzie McGavic, for a term ending Nov. 15, 2016.
Union County Board of County Commissioners
Scott next appointed Jeff Andrews to the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
Andrews, 48, of Lake Butler, is the food service director for the Union Correctional Institution and previously served as a production supervisor for R and B Automation. Andrews is appointed to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Marlyn Wayne Smith, for a term ending Nov. 15, 2016.
Bay County Board of County Commissioners
Scott then named Philip Griffitts, Jr. to the Bay County Board of County Commissioners.
Griffitts, 44, of Panama City, is the owner of Sugar Sands Inn. He previously served as the chair for the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce and vice chairman for the Panama City Beach Civil Service Board. He is appointed to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Mike Thomas, for a term ending Nov. 21, 2016.
Florida Gateway College District Board of Trustees
Scott reappointed two to the Florida Gateway College District Board of Trustees.
Carolyn “Renae” Allen, 55, of Lake Butler, is a science instructor at Union County High School. She currently serves as the regional co-director for the Suwannee Valley Regional Science Fair and previously served as the mayor of the City of Lake Butler. She is reappointed for a term beginning June 8, 2016, and ending May 31, 2019.
Robert C. Brannan III, 54, of Macclenny, is the owner of Brannan Livestock and formally served as a major for Baker County Sheriff’s Office. He is reappointed for a term ending May 31, 2019.
Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Big Cypress Basin Board
Scott appointed James Williams to the Big Cypress Basin Board.
Williams, 58, of Naples, is the director of Florida farms for Lipman Produce. He succeeds John Vaughn and is appointed for a term ending March 1, 2019.
Williams’ appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Indian River State College District Board of Trustees
Scott reappointed two to the Indian River State College District Board of Trustees.
Susan Caron, 56, of Fort Pierce, is an administrative assistant for the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners. Previously, she was an owner and vice president of Robert M. Caron Construction Inc. and also served on both the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and the St. Lucie County Planning and Zoning Commission. She is reappointed for a term ending May 31, 2019.
Joe Conrado, 66, of Vero Beach, is the president of Conrado Enterprises. He currently serves as a member of the Indian River State College Foundation Board and the Palm Beach McDonald’s Marketing Association. Conrado is reappointed for a term ending May 31, 2019.
Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
West Orange Airport Authority
Scott finished with the reappointment of Jeffrey Welch to the West Orange Airport Authority.
Welch, 59, of Apopka, is the executive director of Palmer, Reifler & Associates P.A. He previously served as a member of the Apopka Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Floridians for Better Transportation. Welch received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is reappointed for a term ending Sept. 26, 2019.
