TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed 12 judges across six Florida judicial circuits and named five people to university, college and professional boards in a sweeping round of appointments that elevates several prosecutors and county judges to higher benches.

The most prominent judicial pick is Andrew Bain of Orlando, the former State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit whom DeSantis suspended from the Ninth Circuit state attorney post in 2023 and later appointed as an Orange County judge in 2025. Bain will now serve as a judge on the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, filling a vacancy created by the enactment of Senate Bill 2508. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and his juris doctor from Florida A&M University.

Bain is one of four new judges DeSantis placed on the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, which covers Orange and Osceola counties — the largest single-circuit bloc in the round. The other three Ninth Circuit appointees are Mark Skipper of Maitland, Therese Savona of Orlando and Sonia McDowell of Orlando. Skipper has served as an Orange County judge since his appointment in 2024 and previously worked as a Senior Attorney for the Department of Children and Families. Savona has worked as a Partner for Cole, Scott, & Kissane P.A. since 2015 and previously served as Chief Appellate Counsel for the Florida Department of Health. McDowell has worked as an attorney for The Grosshans Group since 2025 and previously served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

Savona fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Egan, while McDowell fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Gibson. Skipper’s seat was created by Senate Bill 2508.

In the First Judicial Circuit, which covers the Panhandle, DeSantis elevated Matthew Gordon of Pace and appointed Paul Bailey of Fort Walton Beach. Gordon has served as a County Judge for Santa Rosa County since his appointment in 2024 and previously served as an Assistant State Attorney in the First Judicial Circuit. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Florida State University. Gordon fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Shackelford. Bailey has worked as a Shareholder for Welton Law Firm since 2015 and previously worked as a Law Clerk for the Third District Court of Appeal. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Pensacola Christian College and his juris doctor from Regent University. Bailey fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Nobles.

The Twelfth Judicial Circuit, covering the Sarasota-Bradenton area, received two new judges: Guy Flowers of Port Charlotte and Andrea Johnson of Bradenton. Flowers has served as a County Judge for Desoto County since his appointment in 2022 and previously served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. Johnson has worked as Partner and Chair for Barnes, Walker, Goethe, Perron, Shea & Johnson P.L.L.C since 2025. Flowers fills a vacancy created by Senate Bill 2508, while Johnson fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Arend.

DeSantis also appointed David Peters of Harmony to the Osceola County Court. Peters has worked as an attorney for The Grosshans Group since 2024 and previously served as General Counsel for Rapha International. He fills a vacancy created by Senate Bill 2508. Hillary Ellis of Lakewood Ranch was named to the Manatee County Court. Ellis has worked as an attorney for The Law Place since 2023.

Notably, two of the 12 appointees — McDowell and Peters — work for The Grosshans Group, the firm of former Florida Supreme Court Justice Jamie Grosshans, a DeSantis appointee to the high court.

Separately, DeSantis named Christopher Roney to the University of West Florida Board of Trustees. Roney is the Owner and Co-Founder of Ace Unlocks, Chairman of the University of West Florida Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida Board, and the recipient of the 2023 University of West Florida Alumni Community Spirit Award. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of West Florida.

For the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees, DeSantis appointed George Atchison and reappointed Oscar Locklin. Atchison is the President of Phoenix Coatings, Inc. and a United States Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Vietnam. His business was awarded the Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Designation by the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Atchison earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of West Florida. Locklin is an Attorney and Shareholder at Locklin, Saba, Locklin, & Jones, P.A. and a member of the Santa Rosa Education Foundation Board of Directors. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Harding University and his juris doctor from Florida State University.

DeSantis also appointed Kelly Mallette and reappointed Angela Johnson to the Board of Dentistry. Mallette is the Senior Director of Government Affairs for Ronald L. Book, P.A. and was previously elected as a Commissioner for the Village of Biscayne Park. Johnson is a Registered Dental Hygienist for Dr. Mark Volteral’s Dental Office in DeLand and earned her associate degree in dental hygiene from Florida State College at Jacksonville.

All 17 appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.