Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

Tag archive

Chris Hart

Pete Antonacci takes cues from Rick Scott, Enterprise Florida board

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Expect little change in direction of the state’s business-recruitment agency under its new management. Pete Antonacci, a former general counsel for Gov. Rick Scott who was appointed last month as president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, said Monday he intends to maintain the goals of the agency’s board, which is chaired by the governor.

Keep Reading

House Rules Committee votes to kill most economic-development programs

in Statewide by

The House Rules committee voted, 15-3, Monday to kill state support for 23 economics development programs worth around $200 million , including Enterprise Florida, but spared Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion organization. The members then voted, 15-2, to subject Visit Florida to stringent oversight, comparable to contract, pay, and disclosure requirements that apply to state agencies. “They could come to the floor soon — perhaps as early as this week,” sponsor Paul Renner said of the bills. “What you…

Keep Reading

Enterprise Florida CEO Chris Hart resigns, citing lack of ‘common vision’ with Rick Scott

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Citing a lack of “common vision” with Gov. Rick Scott, Chris Hart IV has resigned as Enterprise Florida’s president and CEO. Hart, who had previously served as the president and CEO of CareerSource Florida, was unanimously selected November 30 by the enterprise Florida board of directors for the job that paid between $175,000 and $200,000 a year. He had officially been in the position since January 3. According to his letter of resignation, posted on Twitter by POLITICO Florida’s Matt Dixon,…

Keep Reading

CareerSource Florida narrows in on new president

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

CareerSource Florida, the corporation that serves as the state’s workforce preparation and placement agency, interviewed three finalists Friday to replace Chris Hart as president, including the agency’s current vice president of policy, Michelle Dennard. Dennard, Mikkel Dixon, the executive director of Florida Career College in Margate; and Kyla Gutierrez-Guyette, the project director of ResCare Workforce Services in Orlando; all were interviewed by a committee of the CareerSource Board of Directors Friday. The committee members will submit their scoresheets to the agency’s chairman Britt Sikes Monday, and he will…

Keep Reading

Search narrows for next president of Enterprise Florida

in Statewide by

The search for the next leader of Enterprise Florida is down to two candidates, after a third candidate withdrew. Michael Finney, former president and chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., has taken his name out of contention, according to Michael Grissom, spokesman for Enterprise Florida. Instead, Finney has indicated he will seek a teaching position at the University of Michigan, Grissom said. The Michigan agency is the equivalent of Enterprise Florida — the state’s economic development organ.…

Keep Reading

National GOP group lists Jackie Toledo’s run in HD 60 as one of 16 to watch

in The Bay and the 'Burg/Top Headlines by

The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) is listing Tampa engineer Jackie Toledo‘s candidacy for Hillsborough County House District 60 among the “16 in ’16: Races to Watch” nationally on Friday. Toledo is running in a fierce battle against Tampa land-use attorney David Singer for the seat that has been held for the past six years by Dana Young. According to a statement, the list highlights women and diverse candidates recognized as up-and-coming party leaders in their communities.  “With just under two weeks to go until Election…

Keep Reading

Florida Chamber Foundation encourages business, education leaders to focus on talent pipeline

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

The most important tool in the economic development toolkit might have little to do with tax incentives. Mark Wilson, the president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said Thursday that talent is “replacing the tax incentive as the economic tool of choice” in Florida. This should encourage business, community and education leaders to prioritize the creation of a talented, homegrown workforce. “We have 1,000 people a day moving to Florida. When employers look at where they’re going to…

Keep Reading

1 2
Go to Top