Personnel note: Cy Flanagan, Brandi Gunder join Florida TaxWatch

Cy Flanagan and Brandi Gunder are joining the ranks at Florida TaxWatch.

Flanagan brings more than a decade of experience in membership development, stakeholder engagement and strategic relationship management to the government watchdog, most recently as Membership Director for the Capital City Chamber of Commerce.

At FTW, Flanagan will serve as Director of Membership and Engagement. In her new role, she will lead “efforts to cultivate meaningful relationships, expand the organization’s network, and ensure members feel informed, valued, and connected to the mission of promoting responsible government spending across Florida.”

Gunder adds more than 15 years of state government experience to FTW’s roster. The FSU law school graduate has extensive knowledge of state budget and tax policy, having worked in the DeSantis and Scott administrations, most recently as Acting Director of Policy and Budget at the Executive Office.

As Vice President of Research, Gunder’s policy background will inform FTW’s research output — the organization routinely publishes reports analyzing state tax and budget policy, including widely read annual reports on “Budget Turkeys” and “Taxpayer Independence Day.”

“We are excited to welcome both CyRhonda Flanagan and Brandi Gunder to the Florida TaxWatch team, both bringing substantial credentials and extensive experience to their positions and who will serve our members, our executive committee, our board of trustees, and the people of our state as the respected ‘eyes and ears’ of Florida taxpayers, with honor and distinction,” said FTW President and CEO Dominic Calabro.

Added FTW Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jeff Kottkamp, a former Lt. Governor and state Representative: “They are both extraordinarily talented and will enhance our ability to significantly impact public policy and hold government accountable on behalf of the taxpayers of our great state.”