Phil Ammann
Citing a lack of “common vision” with Gov. Rick Scott, Chris Hart IV has resigned as Enterprise Florida’s president and CEO.
Hart, who had previously served as the president and CEO of CareerSource Florida, was unanimously selected November 30 by the enterprise Florida board of directors for the job that paid between $175,000 and $200,000 a year. He had officially been in the position since January 3.
According to his letter of resignation, posted on Twitter by POLITICO Florida’s Matt Dixon, Hart “knew at that time there would be significant work to be done to restore the corporation’ s reputation as a highly competent economic development organization, and that much of the initial effort would be directed at members of the legislature.”
“The professionals I have encountered are best are best described as stewards of their mission, who have both personal and professional integrity, and seek to deliver value for the state of Florida and the communities they represent with a high degree of competency, every single day.”
Hart continues: “Unfortunately, during the same time period, I’ve come to realize that Gov. Scott and I do not share a common vision or understanding for how enterprise Florida, Inc. Can best provide value within his administration.”
“This difference of opinion,” Hart writes, “is of such a critical nature that I no longer believe I can be effective in my position.”
Since there had not been either a consensus, formal agreement or contract, Hart resigned effective immediately.
“It is odd that Chris Hart never shared any differences of opinion or vision with the Governor until we first read that he had them in his resignation letter,” said Jackie Schutz, a spokeswoman for the governor, in a statement. “The future of EFI and its role in creating more jobs in Florida as we compete with other states is more important than one person’s sudden change of opinion or position, no matter how surprising.”
