Jacob Ogles
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued two more appointments to the South Florida Water Management District.
John “Jay” Steinle,managing director of Lighthouse Investment Society, and Scott Wagner, owner of Wagner Legal, now join the board.
“My administration remains committed to protecting our environment and fighting for clean water for all Floridians and I know firsthand Jay Steinle and Scott Wagner will be dedicated to these goals in their service to the people of Florida,” DeSantis said.
Steinle, of West Palm Beach, holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Vermont. DeSantis’ office touted Steinle’s background in finance and interest in conservation as an active sportsman.
Wagner, of Miami Beach, holds a law degree from the University of Miami. He also attended DeSantis’ alma mater, Yale, as an undergraduate. He’s also a practicing maritime lawyer with an understanding of legal issues facing the water management district, the governor’s office said.
The picks represent the seventh and eighth selections DeSantis made as part of a complete overhaul of the nine-member governing board.
DeSantis in January called on all members of the controversial board to submit resignations. That came weeks after DeSantis and U.S. Rep. Brian Mast asked the district to delay a vote on land leases around the Everglades.
Shortly afterward, DeSantis named Chauncey Goss and “Alligator” Ron Bergeron to openings on the board.
Last week, DeSantis announced four more picks — Charlie Martinez, Cheryl Meads, Charlette Roman and Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch — at press events in Naples and Stuart.
The only remaining board members, James Moran and Sam Accursio, have terms that end in March. Bergeron has yet to be added to the water management district board’s website.
DeSantis last week said he wants all new members seated before the governing board next meets.
The board has been a priority for the governor, who was sworn in January and almost immediately committed to spending $2.5 billion on water quality issues.
The district board has suffered withering criticism as blue-green algal blooms impacted the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers around Lake Okeechobee.
