The weeks after the legislative session often see a flurry of personnel moves in the world of government and politics. Today, in a new, occasional series, we update you on who’s in the Departure Lounge.
First up is Kevin Derby. Loyal readers of Sunshine State News may have noticed this morning that Derby’s byline with the online media outlet is active again, meaning he’s no longer part of the communications and public affairs teamat the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber tells me Derby left the week after session, evidently to return to SSN. In August of 2012, Derby resigned his associate editor position with SSN to accept the Florida Chamber position. Well, you know what they say, you can take the reporter out of the newsroom, but you can’t take the newsroom out of the reporter (no, people don’t actually say that).
Next up in the Lounge is Pablo Diaz, who has left his position as Legislative Director with the National Federation of Independent Business/Florida. The former Deputy Executive Director of the Republican Party of Florida had joined the NFIB in January of 2012. Kristen Butler, a spokesperson for the NFIB says Diaz took a new job. No word yet on where he landed.
Reading through the latest lobbying registration forms, we noticed that do-gooder Ben Wilcox has withdrawn as a lobbyist for his own shop, The People’s Lobby Group, in addition to withdrawing as an advocate for The League of Women Voters of Florida.
If you know of any other politicos in the Departure Lounge, drop me a note at [email protected].
