Hurricane Irma may be days away from Florida, but national, state and local agencies are at work now to deal with the second weather threat to the nation in two weeks.
The latest issue of INFLUENCE Magazine is out. From the rise of legal-lobbying firms to the next generation of influencers and power brokers, the winter edition looks at all aspects of the governmental affairs industry. In recent years, major legal firms have emerged as major players in the government affairs industry. For the first time in a while, one of these firms (Greenberg Traurig) was in the Top 5 for compensation, while several others — such as GrayRobinson and Gunster — are…
Liz Dudek, who retired earlier this month as secretary of Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration, is joining the Greenberg Traurig law firm as its director of Healthcare Affairs. “I am thrilled to be adding a well-respected health care professional like Liz to Greenberg Traurig’s team here in Tallahassee,” said Fred Baggett, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Tallahassee office. “Her extensive experience in the public sector will complement our existing practice as we continue to grow,” he added. “As a leader…
Liz Dudek, who moved up the ranks at Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration to become its leader, is retiring from the agency effective Oct. 3. “Liz has been a part of my team since my first year in office and has spent over four decades serving Florida families,” Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. “Under her leadership, we have worked to make hospitals more transparent and accomplished historic Medicaid reform,” he said. “She helped champion quality health…
The heads of 10 Florida state agencies will keep their jobs. The Florida Senate voted Thursday to confirm top officials appointed by Gov. Rick Scott. They also confirmed Rick Swearingen who was appointed the head of Florida’s law-enforcement agency by Scott and members of the Florida Cabinet. The vote was important because state law would have required the agency heads to leave their jobs if the Senate failed to confirm them this year. Among those confirmed were Julie Jones, secretary…
The former top staffer to Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) Secretary Liz Dudek has joined a law and lobbying firm as a “corporate affairs adviser.” Jennifer Ungru is now with Jones Walker LLP’s Tallahassee office, according to an announcement on the firm’s website. Before her stint as AHCA chief of staff, Ungru was deputy chief of staff to Gov. Rick Scott, overseeing nine agencies, including the departments of Management Services and State. “We are pleased to have Jennifer join our Florida team,” said attorney-lobbyist…
Gov. Rick Scott gave Attorney General Pam Bondi a heads up on Monday that some of the 129 hospitals being audited for Medicaid fraud or waste could be referred to her office for criminal prosecution. Scott is on the warpath against hospitals that participate in the statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, concerned that some are over-billing the system. Medicaid, a joint federal-state program, eats up about a third of the annual state budget. What’s more: The state will lose about $1 billion…