FEDC Inside Track for Legislative Affairs: Dr. Dale Brill To Lead Florida Chamber Foundation; Governor Appoints Chris Hart IV as OTTED Interim Director

The Florida Chamber Foundation announced on December 21, 2009 that it has named Dr. Dale Brill as President, effective January 4, 2010.  The role of Dr. Brill, who formerly directed the Florida Office Of Tourism, Trade And Economic Development (“OTTED”), will be filled on an interim basis by Workforce Florida Inc. president and chief executive officer Chris Hart IV, who was selected by Florida Governor Charlie Crist to lead both organizations concurrently.

Respective press releases from the Governor’s Office and the Florida Chamber Foundation are reprinted below.

Should you have any comments or questions, please contact Tracy Mayernick (tmayernick@cftlaw.com) at Colodny Fass.

 

Governor Crist Appoints Chris Hart IV To Joint Leadership Role With Office Of Tourism, Trade And Economic Development And Workforce Florida Inc.

TALLAHASSEE – In a move that more closely aligns the state’s workforce and economic development organizations, Governor Charlie Crist today appointed Chris Hart IV as interim director of the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED). He will continue in his current role as president and CEO of Workforce Florida Inc. Dr. Dale Brill, director of OTTED, announced his resignation, effective January 1, 2010.

“I thank Dr. Brill for his dedicated service and skilled advocacy for diversifying Florida’s economy,” said Governor Crist. “Now is the time to better align the state’s workforce and economic development efforts. Chris Hart has the necessary experience and expertise to bring the two efforts together.”

“I’m enthusiastic about the synergies this joint appointment will create,” said Hart. “I pledge my best effort to serve the people of Florida tirelessly in an effort to prepare for Florida’s new economy, where talent and economic development go hand in hand.”

Hart joined Workforce Florida in November 2007. From 2004 to 2007, he served as senior vice president of external affairs and investor relations for Enterprise Florida Inc., the public/private partnership designated as the state’s official agency for economic development. From 1998 to 2002, Hart served in the Florida House of Representatives, where he represented South Tampa and Town & Country in Hillsborough County. While serving in the Legislature, he co-founded Classified Technologies Group, a Web-based classified advertising-sales software and service. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Florida.

“I am grateful to the Governor for the call to public service,” Brill said. “I look forward to strengthening my relationships with the business community and legislative stakeholders to continue the momentum behind Florida’s transitioning economy.”

Brill is leaving to serve the Florida Chamber Foundation as its president, effective January 4, 2010.

About the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development

The Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED) formulates policies and strategies designed to promote economic growth and diversify the state’s economic base. OTTED provides executive direction, develops policies and advocates for economic diversification and improvements in Florida’s business climate and infrastructure.

About Workforce Florida Inc.

Workforce Florida Inc. (WFI), created by the Florida Legislature in 2000 through the Workforce Innovation Act, is the state’s chief workforce policy organization and principal architect in the efforts to meet the state’s current and future workforce needs and challenges. WFI is a state partner, along with the Agency for Workforce Innovation, in the Employ Florida affiliate network of 24 business-led regional workforce boards and nearly 100 one-stop centers that provide employment solutions throughout Florida.

 

Florida Chamber Foundation Names Dr. Dale Brill As President

Former OTTED Director and Senior Economic Development Official Tapped to Help Lead Florida’s Economic Transition Efforts

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (December 21, 2009) – Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson announced today that Dr. Dale Brill will be joining the Florida Chamber Foundation as its first full-time President, effective January 4, 2010.

Following his service with the Crist Administration as Director of Florida’s Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development (OTTED), Dr. Brill joins the Chamber Foundation with a mission to focus on a long-term vision for job creation and economic transition in Florida.

“Dr. Brill brings unmatched knowledge of Florida’s business environment and the dynamic relationships between its stakeholders and government,” said Jeff Lyash, Chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation and Executive Vice President of Corporate Development of Progress Energy Florida, Inc. “His leadership and experience will be instrumental in accelerating our Board’s vision for a comprehensive approach to programs, research and policy options.”

“Dr. Brill has a track record of building strong teams and garnering consensus that translates ideas into results,” said Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber. “Dale’s work will advance the breadth, depth and results of the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Six Drivers framework.”

The Chamber Foundation introduced Florida’s “Six Economic Drivers” at its inaugural Future of Florida Forum in October 2009 as a visioning platform for moving Florida toward 2030. The framework gives structure to policy development around six categories held as key determinants of sustainable job growth and success: 1) Talent and education, 2) Innovation and economic development, 3) Infrastructure and growth leadership, 4) Business climate and competitiveness, 5) Civic and government systems, and 6) Quality of life.

The drivers are supported by a comprehensive scorecard that will track the state’s progress along specific measures tied to each of the six economic categories. (See The Florida Scorecard or http://www.thefloridascorecard.com)

About Dr. Dale Brill

Dr. Brill holds a doctorate from the University of Tennessee in Communication and has been recognized as one of Fast Company magazine’s inaugural Fast 50 Innovators. Brill served as Director of OTTED from October 2007 through December 2009. Prior to that, he was a senior executive at VISIT FLORIDA, Florida’s official tourism industry marketing corporation. His professional career includes experience in both start-up environments and as a global business leader for General Motors.

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The Florida Chamber Foundation is a business-led research organization and problem-solver, working in partnership with state business leaders to advance and fund activities in public policy research in order to promote a healthy Florida economy. Founded in 1968 by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber Foundation has been a critical voice for improved public education and a pro-business, pro-Florida business climate that allows Florida to grow and prosper. For more information, visit www.flfoundation.com.

 

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