Rick Scott Names 10 to Judicial Nominating Commissions

Gov. Rick Scott made 10 judicial nominating commission appointments Friday.

In the 1st Circuit, which includes Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties, Scott reappointed Stephen A. Pitre and appointed A. Benjamin Gordon.

In the 3rd Circuit, which includes Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee and Taylor counties, John J. Kendron was reappointed and Andrew J. Decker IV and Joel Foreman were first time appointments.

In the 8th Circuit, which includes Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union counties, Marcia A. Davis and Emery A. Gainey were reappointed, while appointments went to Michael W. Griffis, Kathryn M. Lancaster and Kirsten J. Stinson.

Fromt the governor's office:

1st Circuit:

Pitre, 39, of Gulf Breeze, has been a shareholder and partner at Clark, Partington, Hart, Larry, Bond and Stackhouse since 2006. Previously, he was an assistant state attorney in the 1st Judicial Circuit from 1999 to 2006, prosecuting major felony offenses including drug conspiracy cases, Internet predator cases, and working with the attorney generals office on capital collateral appeals. Pitre received his bachelors degree from Louisiana State University and his law degree from Loyola University School of Law. He succeeds David Sellers and is appointed for a term beginning Oct. 21, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015. He recently completed one term as an appointee from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

Gordon, 36, of Shalimar, has been a partner at Keefe, Anchors, Gordon and Moyle since 2005. Previously, he was an attorney at King and Spalding LLP. He is a member of the Okaloosa Walton Bar Association and has been on the board of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Northwest Florida since 2008. He received his bachelors degree from Vanderbilt University and law degree from Washington and Lee University. He succeeds Roy Kinsey Jr. and is appointed for a term beginning Oct. 21, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015.

3rd Circuit:

Kendron, 37, of Lake City, has been a partner at Robinson, Kennon and Kendron PA since 2005. He currently serves as chairman of the 3rd Judicial Circuit Bar Associations Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee and is the immediate past chairman for the 3rd Judicial Circuit Bar Association Grievance Committee. He received his bachelors and law degrees from Florida State University and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1995 to 2003. Kendron is reappointed for a term beginning Oct. 21, 2011, and ending July 1, 2014. He is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

Decker, 32, of Live Oak, has been an attorney at the Decker Law Firm PA since 2004. Decker is a former president and a current member of the 3rd Judicial Circuit Bar Association, a member of the Live Oak Rotary Club and a member of the Florida Bars Rules of Judicial Administration Committee. He received a bachelors degree from Emory University and a law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law. Decker succeeds Thomas Brown and is appointed for a term beginning Oct. 21, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015. He is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

Foreman, 35, of Lake City, is a founding shareholder of Foreman McInnis and Douglas. Previously he was a shareholder at Foreman and Olvera PA from 2007 to 2010, and from 2005 to 2007 Foreman practiced with Norris and Norris PA. He currently serves on the 3rd Judicial Circuit Bar Associations Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. Foreman serves as town counsel for the town of Glen St. Mary, special magistrate for Code Enforcement for White Springs, and represents the Columbia County sheriffs office in civil forfeitures. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Lake City-Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. Foreman received his bachelors and law degrees from the University of Florida. Foreman succeeds David Phelps and is appointed for a term beginning Oct. 21, 2011, and ending July 1, 2014. He is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

8th Circuit:

Davis, 52, of High Springs, is a partner at Bice Cole Law Firm PL. She served in the United States Army from 1983 to 1986 and was a special assistant attorney general for the commonwealth of Virginia from 1986 to 1987. Davis has been on the American Board of Trial Advocates, North Florida chapter since 2003 and served as president in 2010. She has also served as a board member of the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation since 2007 and Forest Grove Christian Academy from 2006 to 2010. Davis received her bachelors degree from Troy State University and law degree from Mississippi College. She is reappointed for a term beginning Oct. 21, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015. Davis is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

Gainey, 52, of Gainesville, is the director of law enforcement relations and victim services for the office of the attorney general. Previously, he was chief of staff for the Alachua County sheriffs office. Gainey received his bachelors degree from University of Florida. He has served on the 8th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission since 2008 and is reappointed for a term beginning Oct. 21, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015.

Griffis, 52, of Glen St. Mary, is the general manager of the Northeast Florida Telephone Co. He served on the Baker County Board of County Commissioners from 2006 to 2010. From 2009 to 2011, he served on the North Florida Broadband Authority and as president of the Northeast Florida Regional Council from 2006 to 2010. Additionally, he served as a board member of the Florida Telecommunications Relay Network Inc. and on the board of directors for the Baker County Chamber of Commerce. Griffis attended Florida State College at Jacksonville. He succeeds Andrew Smith and is appointed for a term beginning Oct. 21, 2011, and ending July 1, 2015.

Lancaster, 49, of Gainesville, is general counsel at Enformatic Inc. Previously, she served as corporate counsel to RTI Biologics Inc. from 2006 to 2011 and was a sole practitioner from 1996 to 2005. Lancaster has been a member of the Clara Gehan Association for Women Lawyers since 2006 and is the current president. From 1987 to 1996, she was a member of the Pinellas County Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers where she served as secretary and president. She was also a member of the Pinellas County Trial lawyers Association from 1988 to 1995. Lancaster received her bachelors degree from University of South Florida and law degree from Stetson University. She succeeds Brian Kramer and is appointed for a term beginning Oct. 21, 2011, and ending July 1, 2014. Lancaster is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.

Stinson, 41, of Gainesville, is a partner at Scruggs and Carmichael PA. She served as an assistant state attorney for the state of Florida from 1996 to 2005. Stinson received her bachelors degree from the University of Alabama and law degree from the University of Tulsa. She succeeds Pamela Brockway and is appointed for a term beginning Oct. 21, 2011, and ending July 1, 2014. Stinson is appointed from the list of nominees submitted by the Florida Bar.