Gov. Rick Scott announced on Thursday some major changes coming in his senior leadership.
Chief of Staff Melissa Sellers, who had been at that post since December 2014, is on the way out to work in the private sector. After working for Scott on communications and leading his successful reelection effort, Sellers was the governor’s fourth chief of staff. Her last day on Scott’s team will be on April 1.
Scott had kind words for Sellers on Thursday.
“Melissa has done a tremendous job leading my administration and has helped me achieve my two major campaign priorities this year of $1 billion in tax cuts over the past two years and record K-12 funding for Florida’s public schools,” Scott said. “Melissa also ran our successful reelection efforts in 2014 and has been a loyal advisor who furthered our mission to make Florida first in the world for families to live their dreams. She has been an invaluable member of my team since the fall of 2012 and Ann and I look forward to watching her triumph in her next endeavor.”
Scott’s two chief priorities of the 2016 legislative session, which ended earlier this month, stalled as he could not get his $1 billion tax cut proposal and his call for an additional $250 million annually for Enterprise Florida to recruit businesses to the Sunshine State over the finish line.
Scott’s General Counsel Timothy Cerio, who had been in that post since January 2015, is also headed back to the private sector. Like Sellers, Cerio’s last day will be April 1.
“Tim has been a trusted advisor and an outstanding general counsel,” Scott said. “His abilities as a lawyer and a consensus builder have helped advance the goals of my administration. He has also helped me appoint qualified judges to the bench who will faithfully serve Florida families. Tim has been a major asset throughout my second term and an excellent leader on our team.”
Scott said replacements would be named in the coming days.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
