Governor Ron Desantis just announced the first three appointments to the new Florida Gaming Control Commission. The regulatory community will recognize these names, as the list includes a current DBPR head, a former DBPR head, and a well-known insurance industry regulator.

Congratulations to these nominees on this historic appointment. With the nomination of Secretary Julie Brown to the Commission, the Governor also announced the appointment of Tampa attorney Melanie Griffin to be DBPR Secretary.

Both press releases are included below.

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Three to the Florida Gaming Control Commission

On December 22, 2021, in News Releases, by Staff

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Julie Imanuel Brown, Michael Yaworsky and Charles Drago to the Florida Gaming Control Commission, naming Brown as Chair and Yaworsky as Vice Chair.

Julie Imanuel Brown

Brown, of Tampa, is Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Previously, she spent ten years on the Florida Public Service Commission, serving as Chairman from 2016 to 2018. Brown is a graduate of Leadership Florida, served on the Florida Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commission and is a former President of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County. She earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations and juris doctor from the University of Florida. Brown is appointed to a four-year term.

Michael Yaworsky

Yaworsky, of Tallahassee, is Chief of Staff at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Previously, he was Legal Counsel to the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner, Counsel to the Georgia Senate President Pro Tempore and Chief of Staff at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Yaworsky earned his bachelor’s degree in social science from Florida State University and juris doctor from Samford University. He is appointed to a four-year term.

Charles Drago

Drago, of Chuluota, is the Founder and President of Drago Professional Consultants. Previously, he was Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Chief of Police to the City of Oviedo and spent 29 years with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, working his way up from a Police Officer to Assistant Chief of Police. Drago earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice from the State University of New York and bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from St. Thomas University. He is appointed to a three-year term.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Melanie Griffin as Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

On December 22, 2021, in News Releases, by Staff

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Melanie Griffin as Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Melanie Griffin

Griffin, of Tampa, is an Attorney with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick and Senior Advisor for Business-to-Business Relationships for Shumaker Advisors Florida. She is also the Founder and Owner of Spread Your Sunshine, a business that provides speaking and professional training services and designs, manufactures and sells inspirational products and gifts. Griffin is President of the Hillsborough Association of Women Lawyers Executive Board of Directors, serves on the Florida State University College of Law Board of Visitors and is a Fellow of The Florida Bar Foundation. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance, master of business administration and juris doctor from Florida State University.

This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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