TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced 9 appointments across three Florida education boards, tapping a sitting state lawmaker, a former Alachua County sheriff and the founder of one of the state’s largest private universities among his picks.
The most notable selections include Alex Rizo, a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives representing District 112, who was reappointed to the Board of Control for Southern Regional Education. Rizo is also president and chief executive officer of Rizo and Sons Consultants and Beyond the Bell Learning Centers. He holds degrees from the University of Miami, Florida International University and Nova Southeastern University.
Joining Rizo on the Southern Regional Education board is Arthur Keiser, chancellor and founder of Keiser University and Southeastern College. Keiser serves as president of the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges and chairman of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity. He is also a member of the Florida Council of 100 and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida.
DeSantis appointed 4 members to the Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees, including former Alachua County Sheriff Emery Gainey, who previously served as chief of staff for the Office of the Florida Attorney General and as sheriff of Marion County. Gainey earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Florida. New appointee Robert Hitchcock, vice president of Hitchcock & Sons, Inc., serves on the Ronald McDonald House Gainesville Board of Directors. Karin Montini, associate head of school at Oak Hall School, holds a master’s degree from Harvard University and is pursuing a doctorate in organizational leadership from Vanderbilt University. Carrie Lee, president and owner of Florida Blue Farms, Inc., previously served as a teacher for Marion County Public Schools and holds degrees from the University of Florida and Loyola University.
The governor also reappointed 3 members to the Council for Early Grade Success. Maria Alba-Quesada, academic director of curriculum and instruction for South Prep Scholars Academy, previously served as principal of the Miami Community Charter School. Lindsey Brown, vice chancellor for literacy achievement for the Florida Department of Education’s Division of Public Schools, previously served as executive director of Just Read, Florida! and as an assistant principal for Leon County Public Schools. Meghan Collins, the Florida state and local government market lead for CohnReznick, previously served as special strategic initiatives director for the Florida Department of Children and Families and as executive staff director and director of communications for the Florida Department of Education.
The Santa Fe College District Board of Trustees appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.