In a new report from the Orlando Sentinel, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has recommended a replacement for Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) Administrator Glen Gilzean.
Governor DeSantis Recommends CFTOD Replacement for Glen Gilzean
DeSantis has put forth Stephanie Kopelousos, an adviser who recently served on his presidential campaign, as his recommendation to replace Gilzean. The CFTOD board will still have to approve the choice, but per the Sentinel, the governor’s office is “already calling it a done deal.”
We are glad to see her step into this leadership role as the District embarks upon the next chapter in its efforts to ensure an even and transparent playing field for the businesses that operate in Central Florida.
Bryan Griffin, communications director for Governor Ron DeSantis
Griffin also stated that Kopelousos “has extensive state and local government experience that make[s] her the ideal candidate to take the reins at CFTOD.” Before working on DeSantis’ presidential campaign, Kopelousos was a senior adviser and director of legislative affairs for the governor.
Florida State Senator Linda Stewart previously urged DeSantis to replace Gilzean with a local Orange County official in a letter, citing that “the CFTOD board lacks any elected representation of the residents or taxpayers.”
Gilzean was appointed to his new position as Supervisor of Elections for Orange County, Florida by DeSantis earlier this month. He was formerly the Chairman of the Florida Commission on Ethics, but resigned when he was not allowed to hold that position and that of the District Administrator at the same time.
Per the Sentinel, it is unclear whether Gilzean has left CFTOD and if he continues to receive his $400,000 annual salary on top of his $205,000 annual pay as elections supervisor. Gilzean did not respond to the Sentinel’s requests for comment on the issue, but said in an email that he thought it was legal to do both jobs.
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