DEO's Jesse Panuccio Wins Confirmation Handily

To the chagrin of media critics and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson who wanted him fired, Jesse Panuccio will keep his job.

The embattled, $141,000-per-year executive director of the Department of Economic Opportunity was overwhelmingly confirmed on the Senate floor Friday.

During various committee stops to win confirmation, Panuccio, 33, was grilled on the rocky roll-out of CONNECT, a $63 million unemployment benefits website that initially prevented thousands from collecting their weekly jobless payments in a timely manner. CONNECT's installation was a massive undertaking. The system replaces outmoded computer/software devised in the 1970s.

In March, the Gov. Rick Scott appointee told one committee, Ive learned a lot about leadership, about managing large organizations. ... It was a hard few months, much harder for the people being affected by delayed claims than it was for any of us, but I also feel proud of the team for working really tirelessly and countless hours to get this thing working.

On Friday, after his final confirmation, Panuccio said, I appreciate the confidence Gov. Scott and the Legislature have in me and the leadership of DEO. I look forward to continuing to serve Floridians and advancing policies that will help further Floridas economic turnaround.