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Movers & Shakers

New Duke Energy CEO takes charge

Lynn Good takes over on Monday as the new CEO, president and vice chairman of Duke Energy, which serves 1.6 million customers in Florida. Good, 54, has been the utility’s executive vice president and CFO since July 2009.

She succeeds Jim Rogers, who will continue as chairman of the board until his retirement on Dec. 31. The North Carolina-based Duke Energy merged with Progress Energy last year to become the nation’s largest electric-power holding company in the United States, with more than $110 billion in assets

Florida Supreme Court picks new clerk

Technologically savvy attorney John A. Tomasino has been selected as the Court’s next clerk. He’ll replace Thomas D. Hall, who will retire in October after being in the job for more than 13 years. Tomasino, who is administrative director of the Public Defender's Office in the Second Judicial Circuit, starts his new job on Nov. 1.

CFO names new communications director

Chris Cate has been named the communications director for Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, starting on July 8th.

Cate has served as communications director for Florida’s Department of State since 2011. He was previously a spokesman for the Florida’s Department of Transportation, the Executive Office of the Governor, the Agency for Workforce Innovation and the Department of Environmental Protection.

 Scott presents 23 teachers with Shine Awards

Gov. Rick Scott presented Shine Awards to 23 District Teachers of the Year during a teacher summit last week.

Recipients are:

Cassandra Mattison, Hillsborough County, Richard C. Spoto High School

Joanne Wright, Pinellas County, Safety Harbor Middle School

Paula Berry, Pasco County, Wiregrass Ranch High School

Maria Aparicio, Palm Beach County, West Boca Raton High School

 Michelle Kasanofsky, Charlotte County, Port Charlotte High School

Nancy Smith, Citrus County, Citrus High School

Sean Brosig, Collier County, North Naples Middle School

Laura King, Franklin County, Franklin County School

Zola Akins, Gadsden County, George W. Munroe Elementary School

Victoria Paige, Glades County, Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School

Jessica Thayer, Highlands County, Avon Park High School

Patricia Gair, Lee County, Cypress Lake High School

Samantha Newsome, Liberty County, W.R. Tolar K-8 School

Megan Williamson, Okeechobee County, North Elementary School

Katrin Rudge, Sarasota County, Riverview High School

Harry Williams, St. Lucie County, Fort Pierce Central High School

Jodie Martin, Wakulla County, Medart Elementary School

Jenny McDonald, Florida Department of Corrections, State Prison

LaRhonda Brown, Martin County, Port Salerno Elementary School

Cory Cloud, Florida State University Development Research School

Kathleen Ryan, Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind

Shawn Wigg, Florida Virtual School

Alicia Stephenson, University of Florida High School P.K. Yong Developmental Research School  

Judicial appointments

Judge Mark Klingensmith has been appointed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Klingensmith, 52, of Stuart, has served as a Circuit Court Judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit since 2011.

Robert J. Luck has been appointed to the Eleventh Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County. Luck, 33, of North Miami Beach, is an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida.

James Colaw has been appointed to the Eighth Circuit Court (consisting of Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union Counties). Colaw, 41, of Melrose, has served as deputy director of the Clay County State Attorney’s Office since 2009.

On the board

Scott Hopes has been appointed to the University of South Florida Board of Trustees. Hopes, 52, of Homestead, is the chairman and chief executive officer of CliniLinc, Inc.

Scott has announced four appointments to the North Florida Community College District Board of Trustees:

Ann “Sharon” Benoit, 66, of Greenville, who is retired, was previously international director for the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.  

Dawn Gunter, 30, of Perry, is an operations and management consultant with the Florida Department of Health.

William “Billy” Washington, 37, of Pinetta, is the president of Briggs, Washington & Thompson Land Surveying, Inc.  

Lloyd “Gary” Wright, 71, of Monticello, is retired and was previously president and chief executive officer of Farmers and Merchants Bank.

Scott has made three appointments and five reappointments to the Florida Independent Living Council, which promotes independent living opportunities for people with disabilities.

Candace E. Partee, 61, of Sarasota, chair of the Suncoast Center for Independent Living,  succeeds Colleen A. Van Etten.

Kathleen W. Abels, 56, of Daytona Beach, a member of the board of directors for Disability Solutions for Independent Living, Inc., succeeds Chip Wilson.

Douglas Hall, 65, of Daytona Beach, a senior rehab specialist with Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, succeeds Mary E. Ottman.

The following board members are reappointed:

Shelley Gottasagen, 58, of Boynton Beach, is the development and community relations manager at Center for Independent Living of South Florida, Inc.

Patricia Lipovsky, 63, of Daytona Beach, is a self-employed property manager.  

Carol Ann Christopherson, 49, of Jacksonville, is the owner of Florida Service Dogs, Inc.  

Joannie “Sue” Terraglio, 56, of Oviedo, is an advocate for persons with disabilities.

John H. Douglas, 66, of Lake City, is a combat wounded veteran and two time Purple Heart recipient

Cliff Walters has  been appointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners. Walters, 64, of Miami Shores, is the principal at Cliff Waters Consulting, LLC.

Dr. Steven P. Rosenberg has  been appointed to the Board of Medicine. Rosenberg, 62, of Palm Beach, is a physician and partner with Palm Beach Dermatology, Inc.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.



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