Florida Board of Governors

01/10/2013

PRESS RELEASE: Board of Governors welcomes five new members

Gov. Rick Scott appoints a group of leaders from across the state to the constitutional governing board of the State University System of Florida.

TALLAHASSEE—Five new faces are joining the 17-member Board of Governors, with Gov. Rick Scott appointing a talented group of leaders from across the state to help guide the future of Florida’s higher education.

• Harry “Wayne” Huizenga, Jr, 51, of Delray Beach, president of Rybovich Boat Company and Huizenga Holdings Inc., takes the seat vacated by Tico Perez, for a term through 2020.


• Ned C. Lautenbach, 68, of Naples, a retired partner from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, takes a vacant seat with a term ending in 2019.


• Alan Levine, 45, of Naples, senior vice president and Florida president of Hospital Management Services of Florida Inc., takes the seat vacated by Gus A. Stavros, for a term through 2020.


• Wendy Link, 48, of Palm Beach Gardens, managing partner of the Ackerman, Link & Sartory, P.A., takes the seat vacated by John W. Temple, for a term through 2020.


• Edward “Ed” Morton, 65, of Naples, partner with Wasmer Schroeder & Co., takes a vacant seat with a term ending in 2020.

“Gov. Rick Scott has chosen a group of well-qualified individuals, with broad ranges of skills and experience,” said Board Chair Dean Colson. “They join the Board of Governors at a time when there is a heightened awareness of the importance of higher education to the citizens of our state. Accountability efforts have never been more focused, collaboration with universities and elected officials is strong, and we have clear goals for the future. We look forward to working with this group to guide our system toward even greater excellence.”

“Considering this group’s wide range experience and expertise, it is clear our new members will have fresh perspectives to offer the Board of Governors,” said Mori Hosseini, vice chair of the Board. “We are eager to gain their insights as we work to make the State University System stronger.”

“These new members come at a pivotal time for the State University System,” said Chancellor Frank T. Brogan. “The Board of Governors is developing a new performance-based funding model, organizing its online learning offerings in a new way, and working to better align our system with workforce demands for the benefit of both students and the state.”

Facts about the State University System of Florida and Florida Board of Governors

The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The System has 12 universities and a total enrollment of more than 330,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. The Board was created in 2003 by constitutional amendment (Article IX, Section 7). Responsibilities include defining the mission of each institution and ensuring the System’s coordination and operation. Members include 14 gubernatorial appointments, plus a faculty representative, a student representative and the Florida Commissioner of Education. The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the State University System’s chief executive. For more information,, see www.flbog.edu.

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