The presidential search committee for Enterprise FloridaĀ (EFI) on Friday whittled down its list ofĀ finalists to lead the stateās public-private economic development organization.
The final two are:
ā Michael Finney, former chief executive officer,Ā Michigan Economic Development Corp., who was ranked No. 1Ā by five of the committee’s six members.
ā Richard M. Biter, a retired assistant secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation. Three of the six committee members ranked him either No. 1 or No. 2.
They will be invited to interview before the organization’s full board at itsĀ meeting in Orlando on Sept. 28-29.
The next president will be paid $175,000-$200,000 per year, down from Johnsonās salary of $265,000.Ā The agencyās head also serves as FloridaāsĀ Secretary of Commerce.
But whether the person chosenĀ will eventually have an organization to lead is another matter.
Incoming House Speaker Richard Corcoran, facing a tight budget next year, last week suggestedĀ Enterprise Florida could be on theĀ chopping block.Ā It got $23.5 million forĀ operations, marketing and other initiatives in the 2016-17 state budget.
āSpending money on economic development is a bad idea,ā the Land Oā Lakes Republican told reporters. Lawmakers this year did reject Gov. Rick Scottās request for a $250 million incentives fund to be administered by Enterprise Florida.
When asked whether the organization needed to be dissolved, Corcoran added: āI think thatās definitely a discussion thatās going to take place this coming session.”
Bill Johnson, the agencyāsĀ immediate past leader, had taken hits over his peopleĀ skills as the agencyāsĀ proposed $250 million incentives fund crashed and burnedĀ during the 2016 Legislative Session.
JohnsonĀ also was questioned over hisĀ hiring and expenses.Ā He left the organization in late June.
Scott and the EFIĀ board have sinceĀ agreedĀ to streamline operations of the 20-year-old agency, including eliminating jobs, closingĀ international offices, and canceling contracts with outside consultants.
