Governor Appoints Chuck Drago as Department of Business & Professional Regulation Secretary

 

Photo: Governor Crist named Charles “Chuck” Drago as Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation today, July 31, 2008. 

 

Florida Governor Charlie Crist today, July 31, 2008, named Charles “Chuck” Drago as Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (“DBPR”). 

Mr. Drago, a former City of Fort Lauderdale law enforcement officer and Chief of Police, has served as Interim DBPR Secretary since February, 2008.

To view Mr. Drago’s full biography, click here.  

Governor Crist’s press release is below.

 

Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Colodny Fass. 

 

Governor Crist Appoints Charles “Chuck” Drago to Head Department of Business and Professional Regulation
 
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today named Charles “Chuck” Drago as Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.  He has served as Interim Secretary since Governor Crist appointed Holly Benson to head the Agency for Health Care Administration in February 2008.
 
“Chuck has proven throughout his career that he can implement creative solutions, increase efficiency and develop partnerships that achieve positive results,” Governor Crist said.  “I am confident his leadership skills will enable us to continue improving our service to Florida’s business community and professionals.”
 
Before joining the department as Deputy Secretary in January 2007, Drago, 56, served as a law enforcement officer for 32 years.  He served in various roles within the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department for nearly 30 years, starting as a detective and officer in 1975 and rising through the ranks to Assistant Chief of Police in 2001. During that time, he worked in the areas of organized crime investigations, narcotics enforcement, vice, tactical operations and stalking. Among his many commendations for community work and accomplishments in major criminal investigations, Drago received the 1989 Ft. Lauderdale Police Department’s Officer of the Year Award and was runner-up for the State of Florida Officer of the Year. 
 
“Governor Crist understands the importance of creating a business friendly environment that also regards the safety and protection of the consumer as a top priority,” Drago said.  “I am eager to serve the people of Florida and our business community and professionals.”
 
Beginning in 2004, Drago served as Chief of Police for the City of Oviedo.  During his three years there, he established community policing and problem-oriented policing, which emphasizes research and analysis as well as prevention.  Drago is a graduate of St. Thomas University in Miami and the Broward County Institute of Criminal Justice.  He also completed the Command Officers Development Certification at the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville, Kentucky.
 
The mission of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation is to ensure that business, industry and commerce are regulated in such a way that the best quality of service is provided to Floridians and visitors. The agency is responsible for licensing and regulating approximately one million businesses and professionals, including 19 professions ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants, to contractors and cosmetologists. Within the department are the Divisions of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Pari-Mutuel Wagering, Hotels and Restaurants, and Land Sales and Condominiums. The agency licenses and regulates.

 

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