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DeSantis Appoints 4 to the Space Florida Board of Directors

Tallahassee, FL December 22, 2025

Belinda Keiser

Keiser is the Vice Chancellor of Community Relations and Student Advancement at Keiser University. Active in her community, she has served as a member of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, the Seventeenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, and the Florida Government Efficiency Task Force. Keiser earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her master’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University.

Alex King

King is the Executive Director of the Panama City Port Authority. Previously, he served as the Deputy Director of Cargo Operations and Business Development and Operations Manager for the Panama City Port Authority. King earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and logistics from Auburn University.

Tim Thomas

Thomas is a Consultant for I3 Solutions. He is a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1987 to 2010 and retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Auburn University at Montgomery, his master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University, and is a graduate from the Command and General Staff College.

Matthew Bocchino

Bocchino is the Director of the Cecil Airport and Spaceport under the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. He was listed as a “Top 40 Under 40” Recipient by Airport Business Magazine in 2020 and is a member of the Commercial Space Federation Board. Bocchino earned his bachelor’s degree in history and his master’s degree in business administration from Jacksonville University.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

DeSantis Reappoints 4 to the Jacksonville Aviation Authority

Tallahassee, FL December 22, 2025

Fernando Acosta-Rua

Acosta-Rua is a Principal and Shareholder for Heritage Capital Group. Active in his community, he serves as Chair of the Alivia Care, Inc. Board of Directors and served as a member of The Bolles School Board of Trustees. Acosta-Rua earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from the University of Florida and his master’s degree in business administration from Northwestern University.

Michelle Barnett

Barnett is an Attorney and Founding Shareholder of Alexander, DeGance, Barnett, P.A. Active in her community, she is a member of the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Board of Trustees. Barnett earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Florida and her juris doctor from Vanderbilt University.

Matt Connell

Connell is the Chief Executive Officer of Total Military Management. Active in his community, he is a member of the International Association of Movers and the American Moving and Storage Association and was the recipient of the Ultimate Chief Executive Officer Award from the Jacksonville Business Journal. Connell earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Valdosta State University.

David Hodges Jr.

Hodges is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Hodges Management Group, Inc. and Chairman & Partner of 925 Partners Insurance Agency. Additionally, he served as the Family Office Principal for The Tebow Group and is a Co-owner of the Tahoe Knight Monsters and Augusta Pro Hockey. Hodges earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Liberty University and his master’s degree in business administration from Jacksonville University.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

DeSantis Reappoints 2 to the Greater Miami Expressway Author

Tallahassee, FL December 22, 2025

Richard Blanco
Blanco is the Chief Technology Officer for Internos Group, LLC. Previously, he served as a member of the Business Network International and President of planIT Systems, Inc. Blanco earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida International University.

Fatima Perez
Perez is the Director of Koch State Government Affairs. Previously, she served as the Chief of Staff of the City of Miami Beach, Partner at Southern Strategy Group, and a Public Policy Manager at Akerman. Perez earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her master’s degree in public administration from Florida International University.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

FDOT Announces new Director of the Office of Maintenance

Tallahassee, FL December 17, 2025

Scott Arnold has been named he new Director of the Office of Maintenance for the Florida Department of Transportation (Department).

Scott has more than 35 years of engineering experience working for the Department and private industry. In his previous role as State Maintenance Engineer, Scott supported six program areas including Performance Management, Roadway Operations, Contract Management, NPDES Stormwater, Structures Operations, and Program Resources, and he has been an active part of the Department’s storm response and recovery efforts. Scott joined the Department in 1997 as a Professional Engineer Trainee in District 7 and spent 16 years in the District Structures Design Office. He transferred to Central Office in 2015 and worked in the Structures Design Office and State Construction Office prior to moving to the Office of Maintenance.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Civil Engineer from the University of South Florida. He is also a graduate of the Certified Public Manager program through Florida State University.

In his free time, Scott enjoys doing anything outdoors, including running, hiking, and birding with his wife and dogs, as well as hunting and cast netting with his buddies.

Gov DeSantis - Advancements for Congestion Relief in Central

Bartow, FL October 16, 2025

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced major steps for congestion relief in Central Florida. These include 17 miles of new express lanes on Interstate 4 (I-4) in Hillsborough County and a new truck parking facility along the I-4 corridor in Polk County. The state is also breaking ground on the nation’s first infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), an entirely new mode of transportation.

“Florida’s conservative policies and sound fiscal management have produced one of the strongest economies in the nation,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Through our Moving Florida Forward initiative, we are making record infrastructure investments and completing projects ahead of schedule to meet the needs of our growing state.”

“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, we’ve successfully brought revolutionary congestion relief projects to life for Florida’s residents and visitors,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “Our work to accelerate congestion relief, especially along the I-4 corridor, is a commitment we will continue to deliver on.”

Projects included in today’s announcement build upon Governor DeSantis’ commitment to reducing congestion along Florida’s busiest travel and freight corridors through the Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative, which has expedited major projects 10-15 years in advance.

As Governor DeSantis continues to take bold action to ensure families spend less time in traffic, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will be constructing 17 miles of a new single express lane facility on I-4 in Hillsborough County in both directions from Interstate 75 (I-75) to County Line Road. These express lanes will bring significant congestion relief to the traveling public by separating long-distance traffic from local commuter traffic, providing additional reliable travel options and enhancing the quality of life for residents traveling in the area. This project has officially been programmed within FDOT’s project pipeline and will be advanced by ten years, with construction expected to begin in 2028.

To further support Florida’s freight traffic along the I-4 corridor, which has one of the largest truck parking deficits throughout the state, FDOT will also be constructing a new 100-space truck parking facility in Polk County at the Polk Parkway and I-4 interchange. This advancement reflects the state’s commitment to fiscal prudence by maximizing available resources, as the new truck parking facility will utilize existing right-of-way within the interchange. With 75 percent of Florida’s total freight moved by trucks, Governor DeSantis has remained committed to expanding critical truck parking facilities throughout the state to support this vital industry.

Additionally, Governor DeSantis announced today that the construction of the first of two AAM vertiports is officially underway at the FDOT’s SunTrax testing facility, which will be expanded to a statewide network of interconnected commercial vertiports. This facility will establish the nation’s first-ever AAM aerial test bed and dedicated airspace, driving innovative research and development for this emerging technology. Additional announcements related to Florida's role in AAM will be released by FDOT in the coming months.

Governor DeSantis Announces Major Infrastructure Investment

Tampa, Fla. August 26, 2025

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the completion of the Howard Frankland Bridge Replacement Project and the groundbreaking of the I-275 Express Expansion Moving Florida Forward Project. Together, these projects represent more than $1.3 billion in investments to reduce congestion, strengthen hurricane evacuation routes, and improve mobility for families and businesses across the Tampa Bay region.

“Today, I was proud to announce significant progress on two critical infrastructure projects in the Tampa Bay area: the new Howard Frankland Bridge and the I-275 Moving Florida Forward project in Pinellas County,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Our Moving Florida Forward Initiative is delivering major improvements years ahead of schedule, reducing delays for families and businesses, and making long-term investments that will support Florida's growth for generations to come.”

The Howard Frankland Bridge replacement, the largest transportation project ever delivered in FDOT’s District 7, opened to traffic earlier this summer and as built has increased capacity by 50%. The new modernized bridge has been fortified to withstand hurricanes and ties directly into the recently completed Gateway Expressway and I-275 Express project.

The Governor also announced the groundbreaking of the I-275 expansion in Pinellas County. This project will widen the interstate, add new express lanes, and flow into the new Howard Frankland Bridge. Once complete, it is expected to reduce travel delays by up to 85% and generate more than $1.4 billion in regional economic value, while ensuring I-275 remains a vital hurricane evacuation corridor. Thanks to the investments included in Moving Florida Forward, the project will be delivered 15 years ahead of schedule.

“Governor DeSantis’s Moving Florida Forward Initiative is transforming Tampa Bay’s transportation system and connecting communities,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “I’m proud of the work of our FDOT team who is making quick work of the demolition of the old Howard Frankland Bridge and beginning construction of the much needed expansion of I-275 in Pinellas County.”

Launched in 2023, Florida’s Moving Florida Forward Initiative is accelerating more than 20 major congestion relief projects statewide, delivering improvements years ahead of schedule. Florida has committed more than $68 billion to transportation improvements over the next five years, ensuring that the state’s infrastructure continues to meet the demands of residents, visitors, and business alike.

Gov DeSantis Reappoints 2 to FL Transportation Commission

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov Ron DeSantis announced the reappointment of Richard Burke and Al Lastra

Richard Burke

Burke is an Operating Partner at Energy Capital Partners Management, LP. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Biffa and is a member of the K9s for Warriors Board of Directors and the Environmental Research and Education Foundation Board of Directors. Burke earned his bachelor’s degree from Randolph Macon College.

Alex Lastra

Lastra is the Managing Partner of Desarrollo Florida, LLC. Previously, he served as the Senior Managing Director of Atlantic Pacific Development and was the President and executive board member of the Latin Builders Association. Lastra earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida International University.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate