Gubernatorial Appointments in the Prior Week

Appointments to the Big Cypress Basin board, Childrens Services Council of Broward County, district board of trustees of Pasco-Hernando Community College, board of trustees of New College of Florida, district board of trustees on Hillsborough Community College and the Florida Commission on Human Relations were made by Gov. Rick Scott during the past week.

The following appointments were announced in releases from the governor's office:

Scott reappointed John W. Vaughn and appointed David Farmer and Frederick Rick Barber to the Big Cypress Basin board.

Vaughn, 78, of Naples, is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker. He is reappointed for a term beginning Nov. 18, 2011, and ending March 1, 2013.

Farmer, 45, of Naples, is the owner of Keystone Development Advisors LLC. He succeeds Pamela S. MacKie and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 18, 2011, and ending March 1, 2014.

Barber, 65, of Bonita Springs, is the chairman and chief executive officer of Agnoli, Barber and Brundage Inc. He succeeds Fred N. Thomas and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 18, 2011, and ending March 1, 2014.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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Scott reappointed two and appointed one to the Childrens Services Council of Broward County.

Emilio Benitez, 53, of Hollywood, is the president and chief executive officer of ChildNet Inc. He is reappointed for a term beginning Nov. 18, 2011, and ending Jan. 31, 2015.

Ana M. Valladarez, 56, of Weston, is vice president of Design Nuovo Inc. She is reappointed for a term beginning Nov. 18, 2011, and ending Jan. 31, 2015.

Maria M. Schneider, 51, of Fort Lauderdale, is an assistant state attorney for the 17th Judicial Circuit. She succeeds Mariza D. Cobb and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 18, 2011, and ending Jan. 31, 2015.

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Scott appointed Kathy A. Burke, Leonard H. Johnson, Morris R. Porton and Victor Young to the district board of trustees, Pasco-Hernando Community College.

Burke, 56, of Hernando Beach, has been the divisional vice president of operations for Health Management Associates Inc. since 1994. She was the vice president of the Hernando Healthcare System and served on the Hernando County Health Care Advisory Board from 2007 to 2011. From 2001 to 2007, she was chief executive officer of the Sebastian River Medical Center. Previously, she held several positions at Charlotte Regional Medical Center from 1992 to 2001, including chief executive officer from 1998 to 2001, and was administrative director at Hialeah Hospital from 1976 to 1992. Burke received an associate degree from Miami-Dade Community College, a bachelors degree from the University of New York and a Master of Business Administration from Kennedy Western University. She succeeds Irvin Homer and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 17, 2011, and ending May 31, 2015.

Johnson, 54, of Dade City, has been the president and shareholder of Johnson, Auvil, Brock, Wilson and Pratico PA since 1990. He has served on the K-Bar Ranch Community Development District since 2005 and is a past member of the board of directors for the Pasco-Hernando Community College Foundation. He served on the board of trustees for the Pasco Regional Medical Center from 1993 to 1996 and on the board of directors of Downtown Dade City Main Street Inc. from 1987 to 1995. Johnson received bachelors and law degrees from the University of Florida. He succeeds Thomas Weightman and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 17, 2011, and ending May 31, 2015.

Porton, 65, of Spring Hill, has been the Hernando County executive for Florida Traditions Bank since 2007. With 44 years of banking experience, he most recently was the Hernando County executive for CenterState Bank from 2002 to 2007. A reserve deputy for the Hernando County sheriffs office, he has served on the board of directors for the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce since 1995 and on the board of Hernando Progress since 2002. His extensive community service also includes serving on the boards of the Pasco-Hernando Community College Foundation since 2009 and Arc Nature Coast since 2007. Porton received an associate degree from Clearwater Community College, a bachelors degree from the University of South Florida and a banking degree from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. He served in the United States Navy Reserve from 1965 to 1966. Porton succeeds Deborah Kilgore and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 17, 2011, and ending May 31, 2013.

Young, 41, of Land OLakes, has been the chief executive officer of Young Enterprises since 2004. With 19 years of automotive business experience in the Tampa Bay area, he is a trustee for the Southeastern Guide Dogs and a board member of Manatee Rural Health Care. Previously, he was a board member of the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope from 2008 to 2010. Young is also president and co-founder of Florida Youth Inc. He succeeds Gary Worthley and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 17, 2011, and ending May 31, 2014.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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Scott appointed Bradford D. Baker and Steven L. Snyder to the board of trustees, New College of Florida.

Baker, 51, of Venice, has been the director of Odyssey Marine Exploration Inc. since 2008 and president of Nexus Biometrics Inc. since 2004. He has also been president of Bramar Housing Inc. since 1996. He was executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corp. from 1999 to 2000. He is a past board member of the Manatee Community College Foundation, as well as the Nova Southeastern University Foundation. Baker received an associate degree from Manatee Community College and a bachelors degree from Nova Southeastern University. He succeeds Vicki Raeburn and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 17, 2011, and ending Jan. 6, 2016.

Snyder, 58, of Sarasota, has been a developer and chief executive officer of RSP-USA Inc. since 1997. Previously, he was the senior brand research manager for R.J. Reynolds from 1977 to 1992. Snyder received a bachelors degree and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University. He succeeds Walter Presha and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 17, 2011, and ending Jan. 6, 2016.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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Scott appointed MarDee H. Buchman to the district board of trustees, Hillsborough Community College.

Buchman, 52, of Plant City, is an office manager for the Hillsborough County Republican Party. Previously, Buchman was a homemaker for 11 years and prior to that, she spent 18 years in the banking industry. She has held various titles at Barnett Bank of Tampa and what is now Bank of America. She received an associate degree from Hillsborough Community College and bachelors degree from the University of South Florida. She succeeds Daniel Coton and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 16, 2011, and ending May 31, 2015.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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Scott reappointments four and appointed three to the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

Michael G. Keller, 33, of Brandon, is the chief technology officer and co-founder of International Direct Selling Technology Corp. He is reappointed for a term beginning Nov. 16, 2011, and ending Sept. 30, 2014.

Joanna L. Sharp, 40, of Wellington, is the city clerk for the city of West Palm Beach. She is reappointed for a term beginning Nov. 16, 2011, and ending Sept. 30, 2013.

Gilbert M. Singer, 56, of Tampa, is an attorney and shareholder with Marcadis Singer PA. He is reappointed for a term beginning Nov. 16, 2011, and ending Sept. 30, 2014.

Mario M. Valle, 44, of Naples, is the relationship manager for PBS Construction. He is reappointed for a term beginning Nov. 16, 2011, and ending Sept. 30, 2014.

Dr. Onelia A. Fajardo, 57, of Miami, is the founder and principal of NetHealthConsultants LLC. She succeeds Darcell L. Streeter and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 16, 2011, and ending Sept. 30, 2013.

Jim Johns, 69, of Jacksonville, is the president of The Johns Group Inc. He succeeds Dr. Patty B. Thomas and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 16, 2011, and ending Sept. 30, 2014.

Michell J. Long, 48, of Jacksonville, is a facility manager at Florida State College at Jacksonville. She succeeds Watson L. Haynes II and is appointed for a term beginning Nov. 16, 2011, and ending Sept. 30, 2015.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.