Gov. DeSantis reappoints campaign donor Moshe Popack to Florida Development Finance Corp.

Image via Moshe Popack

Gov. Ron DeSantis has reappointed Moshe Popack to the Florida Development Finance Corporation.

Popack gave the Governor’s now-closed political committee $225,000 worth of in-kind contributions in 2022. He also chipped in $25,000 to the PC and another $300 to DeSantis’ campaign account through the real estate company he owns with his wife Yaffa Popack, Lauderhill Lakes-based YMP Real Estate Management.

Also in 2022, the couple hosted an event at their 10,000-square-foot waterfront mansion to raise funds for DeSantis’ re-election campaign.

The couple each gave DeSantis’ presidential campaign maxed-out, $6,600 donations.

Popack, who lives in Miami Beach, is also the co-founder of Neighborhood Farms USA, a self-described national nonprofit dedicated to promoting wellness and nutritional education through the development of community gardens and healthy food programs. He’s a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the South Florida Business Journal Trust.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Yeshiva University and a master’s degree in business administration from Long Island University. Popack also has a law degree from Touro University.

The Florida Development Finance Corporation is a special development financing authority established in 1993 to issue industrial bonds in Florida counties through interlocal agreements. The group supports economic development by assisting for-profit and not-for-profit businesses with capital, primarily through tax-exempt and taxable bonds, according to its website. The organization does not receive state appropriations.

Popack’s reappointment is subject to Senate confirmation, which should not be a problem for the current board member, who DeSantis first appointed in 2020.

In addition to donating funds and in-kind contributions to DeSantis’ campaigns, Popack has also given $1,425 to the Florida GOP, $10,000 to the Republican Party of Miami-Dade County, $5,600 to U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar and $2,900 to U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez, according to previous reporting.

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Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics contributed to this report.