Rick Scott Taps Jonathan Zachem to Lead DPBR

On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Scott named Jonathan Zachem as secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). 

This is a promotion for Zachem who was serving as deputy secretary at DBPR. Before that, he worked for DBPR as chief attorney and director of its Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering. 

The post had been vacant since January when Ken Lawson resigned to serve as president and CEO of Visit Florida. After Lawson left, Matilde Miller served as interim secretary but she is now following him to Visit Florida where she will serve as vice president of compliance. 

Scott pointed to Zachem’s experience at DBPR as one of the reasons he was promoting him to lead the department. 

“DBPR is often on the frontlines of supporting new and existing businesses across our state,” Scott said. “With his leadership experience at DBPR, Jonathan understands the importance of reducing burdensome regulations while helping our job creators and families. I know that Jonathan will be a great leader as we continue to work together to make Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation. I appreciate Matilde Miller’s service to the state of Florida and her dedication to our mission of growing jobs for our families.”