Phil Ammann
Joe Marino, a West Point graduate and leader of the Florida Defense Contractors Association, has taken the role of Chief Operations Officer for Florida is for Veterans, Inc.
“Joe Marino brings a wealth of experience in working with Veterans’ issues from the non-profit sector, Florida state government experience and corporate recruiter for Veterans,” said Florida is for Veterans Executive Director Bobby Carbonell.
“His relationship with the FDCA will be a great asset when we are ready to start working with the defense industry to keep separating service members in Florida.”
Marino’s role will be to implement and oversee operations at Florida is for Veterans, a corporation established by the Florida Legislature in 2014 as part of the Florida GI Bill.
The mission of Florida is for Veterans is to encourage recently military personnel to make Florida their permanent home by connecting them to employment, training, and educational opportunities, as well enhancing veteran’s entrepreneurial skills. Florida has the third largest veteran population in the U.S., with more than 1.5 million veterans, and account for more than $15 billion in economic activity for the state every year.
Marino will step down as of FDCA President but will continue to serve on the association’s board.
“Over the years, I have met too many Veterans who were unemployed or underemployed,” Marino said in a statement. “And I believe they will benefit from the organization’s efforts.”
A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Marino served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army on Active Duty and eight years in the Reserves. Marino also worked as a recruiter, placing separating Veterans with Fortune 500 companies, for several years before transitioning to Florida state government in 2002.
After a variety of roles – in the Florida House, state Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development — Marino became well versed in the Florida legislative process, Veterans’ advocacy and the role the Defense industry plays in the state’s economy. Marino was most recently in private sector with the Florida Defense Contractor’s Association, formerly known as the Florida League of Defense Contractors, a group he founded in 2010.
The Florida is for Veterans Board of Directors will hold its next public meeting on March 9 at 1 p.m. in Room 28 of the House Office Building, 402 South Monroe Street in Tallahassee.
