Gov. Rick Scott continues to flesh out his team for a second term, relying on familiar faces in his administration as he readies for the next four years.
Scott announced on Tuesday he was keeping Ken Lawson as secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
I am proud to announce the reappointment of Ken Lawson as secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Scott said on Tuesday. Ken has worked every day to streamline the permitting process and reduce burdensome regulations. Under his leadership at DBPR, we have cut professional license wait times from 41 days to an average of two days. Ken has played an integral role in creating a business climate conducive to growth and expansion."
It is an honor to have the opportunity to continue my work with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Lawson said. Our department is committed to creating an environment for all businesses to succeed.
Lawson started at his post in March 2011 after serving as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida and as an assistant secretary of enforcement for the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
The move won the applause of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA).
Under Secretary Lawsons leadership, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation has bolstered efforts to protect the health and safety of Floridas consumers and has streamlined the regulatory process for those in the tourism and hospitality industry, said Carol Dover, the president and CEO of the FRLA. Secretary Lawson is a true partner in our efforts and his commitment to excellence will help maintain Floridas reputation as a wonderful place to live, work and play. We are thrilled to see Secretary Lawson continue in this role and under Gov. Scotts direction.
Scott also named Chad Poppell as secretary of the Department of Management Services (DMS) on Tuesday. Poppell has been chief of staff at the Department of Economic Opportunity(DEO) for almost two years.
Chad has been a great leader at DEO, and has made it his mission to help Florida families succeed, Scott said on Tuesday. With more than a decade of service in government administration and his experience managing human resources for the city of Jacksonville, Chad will be a terrific leader at DMS. I know he will remain dedicated to promoting efficiency and providing support to Floridas state agencies as they protect taxpayer investments in government.
I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as the secretary of the DMS and I am excited to work together with my fellow state agencies on behalf of all Floridians, Poppell said. I look forward to helping execute Gov. Scotts vision of making Florida the best state in the nation to live, work and raise a family.
Before his time at DEO, Poppell was director of employee services of JEA in Jacksonville. During his time in office, Mayor John Peyton of Jacksonville named Poppell chief of human resources for the city government.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
