Florida - Sunday December 15, 2023: Governor DeSantis has made the following 24 appointments to various state boards, corporations, commissions, and authorities
Four appointed to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Larry Cretul - Cretul is a Senior Government Affairs Advisor at GrayRobinson, P.A. He is a veteran of the United States Navy. With over 35 years of experience in public service, he was a Marion County Commissioner from 1994 to 2001 and served as a Representative of the Florida House of Representatives from 2002 to 2010. Cretul was Speaker of the House from 2009 to 2010.
Dev Motwani - Motwani is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Merrimac Ventures in Fort Lauderdale. He currently serves as a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, the Young Presidents Organization, and the Florida Council of 100. Motwani earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and public policy from Duke University and his master’s degree in real estate development from Columbia University.
Ryan Benson - Benson is the Co-Owner of A Vernon Allen Builder. He serves on the board of directors for the Collier Building Industry Association and is also a director for the Boys and Girls Club of Collier County. Benson earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stetson University and his master’s degree in business administration from Florida International University.
Sandra Einhorn - Einhorn is the Executive Director of the Coordinating Council of Broward. She previously served as the Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Broward. Einhorn earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Six appointed to the Construction Industry Licensing Board
Jonathan Cook - Cook, of Chipley, is the Vice President and Owner of CINCH Underground, Inc. He is a Deacon of First Baptist Church in Chipley and is a former State Trooper for the Florida Highway Patrol. Cook earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Thomas University.
Fred Kobie - Kobie, of LaBelle, is the President of Kobie Inspection Services and Kobie Kooling, Inc. He is the current President of the Rotary Club of LaBelle. Kobie earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Kennedy Western University.
Bradley Barreto - Barreto, of Coral Gables, is the Principal and Broker of Barreto Real Estate Group, LLC. He is currently appointed to the Millennial Task Force by Miami-Dade and is a member of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce and United Way Young Leaders. Barreto holds both a General Contractors and Real Estate Broker’s license and earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Babson College.
Frank Cawthon - Cawthon, of Windemere, is the President and Owner of Florida Home Construction of Central Florida and FHC Development. He holds both a General Contractors and Residential Contractors’ license. Cawthon earned his bachelor’s degree in business from Clemson University and his master’s degree in business administration from Stetson University.
Brian “Parks” Wilson - Wilson, of Cedar Key, is a Board Member of Wilson and Company, Inc. He is the current Owner of Oviedo Office Parks and serves as a construction neutral arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Wilson earned his bachelor’s degrees in business administration and building construction from the University of Florida.
Mario Famada - Famada, of Miami, is the Vice President and Owner of City Roofing and Construction, Inc. He is the founder of Raise the Roof, a non-profit organization that provides free roofs for families in need in Miami-Dade County. Famada earned his associate degree from Miami Dade College.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Three appointed to Judicial Nominating Commissions
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission: Elise Engle, of Tampa, is an Associate Attorney at Shutts & Bowen LLP. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Stetson University. Engle is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2023.
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission: Steven DeLorenz, of Boca Raton, is a Senior Partner at Talisman & DeLorenz P.C. He received his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and his law degree from Pepperdine University. DeLorenz is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2024.
Twentieth Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission: Katherine “Kati” Cook, of Cape Coral, is an Associate Attorney at Boy Agnew Potanovic Miller, PLLC. She received her bachelor’s degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and her law degree from Ave Maria School of Law. Cook is appointed for a term ending July 1, 2026.
Three appointed to the Florida Small Business Development Center Network Statewide Advisory Board
Barbara Bonarrigo - Bonarrigo, of Ormond Beach, is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CJ Manufacturing, Inc. She was named Woman Manufacturer of the Year in 2020 by Volusia Manufacturing Association. Bonarrigo earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Berufsschule Kaiserslautern in Germany.
Jordan Johnson - Johnson, of Tampa, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Naked Farmer Food Group. With four locations, he plans to expand Naked Farmer Food Group to 10 locations throughout the state of Florida. Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Florida.
Marielena Villamil - Villamil, of Coral Gables, is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Washington Economics Group, Inc. She the current Chair of the South Florida Humanitarian Network for Cuba and is the past Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross of Greater Miami and the Keys. Villamil earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s Dominican College and a master’s degree from Middlebury College.
Four appointed to the Children’s Trust Governing Board of Miami-Dade County
Norman Gerstein - Gerstein, of Coral Gables, is the President of Norman S. Gerstein P.A. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Miami Children’s Museum and as a Mediator for the National Association of Distinguished Neutrals. Gerstein earned his bachelor’s degree from Rollins College and his juris doctor from the University of Miami.
Lourdes Gimenez - Gimenez, of Miami, is the former Administrative Director of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. As an educator for over 45 years, she received a Golden Medallion for Outstanding Alumnae from Florida International University. Gimenez earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Florida International University and her master’s degree in elementary education from Nova Southeastern University.
Nicole Gomez-Goldmeier - Gomez-Goldmeier, of Coral Gables, is a Partner at LSN Partners, LLC. She currently serves on the Board of directors of the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces and is a Florida Registered Paralegal. Gomez-Goldmeier earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Central Florida.
Clara Lora Ospina, PsyD - Lora Ospina, of Miami, is a Psychologist for Jackson Health System. With over 20 years of combined clinical and management experience, Lora Ospina earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida International University, her master’s degree in mental health counseling, as well as her doctorate in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University.
Four appointed to the Clay County Development Authority
Bruce Butler - Butler is a Federal Law Enforcement Officer for the United States Department of the Interior. He is a current National Vice President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and serves on the Board of Directors for the Clay County Fair Association. Butler earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University.
Keith Ward - Ward is the President of Thomas May Construction. He served as an Executive Board Member of the Northeast Florida Builders Association for more than 20 years and served as the President in 2021. Ward earned his associate degree from St. Johns River State College.
Alexandria Hill - Hill is a Shareholder of Rogers Towers, P.A. She is a current Board Member of the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council and previously served as the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Maple Street Biscuit Company. Hill earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stetson University and her juris doctor from the University of Florida.
Jonathan Vallencourt - Vallencourt is the Vice President of Vallencourt Construction. He is the current Owner of Clay Theatre Events, LLC. Vallencourt attended the University of Alabama.