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Florida’s Central Tourism Oversight District Features new Board Members as Alexis Yarbrough Takes The Helm as Chair
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Florida’s Central Tourism Oversight District welcomes new management as Alexis Yarbrough steps in as Chair, joined by John Gilbert and Scott Workman, pending affirmation.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to reshape the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), appointing three new board members: Alexis Yarbrough, John Gilbert, and Scott Workman. This announcement comes as two present board members, Ron Peri and Bridget Ziegler, strategy the top of their phrases in February 2025. Yarbrough has been named Chair, along with her appointment and people of Gilbert and Workman pending affirmation by the Florida Senate.
New Appointees Deliver Numerous Experience
Alexis Yarbrough – Chair
Alexis Yarbrough, the newly appointed Chair, brings a wealth of expertise in authorized and governance issues. She at present serves as Chair of the Broward Faculty District Board of Trustees and beforehand held management roles on the Fourth District Courtroom of Enchantment Judicial Nominating Fee. A graduate of the College of Miami with a bachelor’s diploma and Nova Southeastern College with a juris physician, Yarbrough has a monitor report of overseeing vital administrative operations. Her appointment as Chair displays a strategic option to information the district by way of ongoing modifications.
John Gilbert
John Gilbert, one other appointee, provides substantial experience in actual property and enterprise. Because the Government Managing Director at Stream Realty Companions, Gilbert has a confirmed historical past in industrial actual property, acknowledged as Orlando Workplace Dealer of the Yr in each 2007 and 2012 by the Nationwide Affiliation of Industrial and Workplace Parks. A graduate of Florida State College with a level in actual property, Gilbert’s appointment aligns with the district’s mission to supervise complicated land-use and growth initiatives in Central Florida.
Scott Workman
Scott Workman rounds out the trio of appointees, bringing over 25 years of expertise in Orlando’s transportation business. Because the proprietor of Workman Transportation and Workman Journey, he has constructed a profession centered round logistics and mobility—key elements for a district overseeing tourism and infrastructure. Workman studied on the College of Iowa and has a deep understanding of the transportation wants of Central Florida, making him a helpful addition to the board.
Upcoming Board Adjustments
The brand new appointments are well timed because the phrases of Ron Peri and Bridget Ziegler, two present board members, expire on February 26, 2025. If Peri or Ziegler will not be reappointed, the brand new appointees are anticipated to fill their seats, pending Senate affirmation. This transition underscores DeSantis’ ongoing efforts to solidify management over the CFTOD, a district with a storied previous tied to Disney.
Up to date CFTOD Board of Supervisors
With the brand new appointees, the CFTOD Board of Supervisors will include the next members:
Alexis Yarbrough – Appointed Chair (Awaiting affirmation) – Time period set to finish on February 26, 2027
Charbel Barakat – Serving as Vice Chair – Time period concludes on February 26, 2027
Brian Aungst, Jr. – Time period expires 2/26/27
Ron Peri – Time period expires 2/26/25
Bridget Ziegler – Time period expires 2/26/25
John Gilbert (Pending affirmation) – Time period expires 2/26/27
Scott Workman (Pending affirmation) – Time period expires 2/26/27
This up to date lineup displays a strategic mixture of authorized, actual property, and transportation experience, indicating the district’s deal with governance, land use, and infrastructure planning.
The Origins of CFTOD: A District Born of Controversy
The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has its roots within the long-standing Reedy Creek Enchancment District, created in 1967 to grant Disney near-total autonomy over land use and infrastructure inside its Florida property. For many years, Reedy Creek allowed Disney to manipulate itself, managing providers like utilities, emergency response, and zoning.
In 2022, the dynamics shifted profoundly when Disney brazenly criticized Florida’s Parental Rights in Schooling regulation, generally labeled the “Don’t Say Gay” invoice by opponents. In response, Governor Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers acted to remove the Reedy Creek Enchancment District, citing issues about extreme company affect and the necessity for higher state accountability. This initiative culminated within the approval of Home Invoice 9-B in early 2023, formally dissolving Reedy Creek and establishing the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), inserting full management of governance within the arms of the state.
The Function of CFTOD in Florida’s Tourism Panorama
As one of the visited areas on the earth, Central Florida is synonymous with tourism, with Disney World serving as its crown jewel. The CFTOD performs a vital position in overseeing the infrastructure and providers that help this thriving business. With its expanded state oversight, the district now has the mandate to make sure transparency, accountability, and alignment with broader state insurance policies.
DeSantis’ latest appointments replicate his administration’s dedication to reshaping the district’s governance and reinforcing state authority over Central Florida’s tourism ecosystem.
The Broader Implications of the Appointments
These appointments are greater than routine—they signify DeSantis’ continued deal with curbing Disney’s affect in Florida. By deciding on board members with numerous experience in governance, actual property, and transportation, the governor goals to steer the district towards extra state-aligned targets, doubtlessly affecting future developments in Central Florida.
For instance, Yarbrough’s authorized experience may play a pivotal position in navigating potential challenges because the district continues to say management over land-use insurance policies as soon as dominated by Disney. Equally, Gilbert’s actual property background is prone to inform selections on zoning and infrastructure initiatives, whereas Workman’s transportation expertise addresses crucial points of mobility and logistics in a tourism-heavy area.
Trying Forward: What’s Subsequent for the CFTOD?
Because the appointments await affirmation by the Florida Senate, the CFTOD continues to function underneath the watchful eye of state officers and stakeholders. The district’s actions within the coming years will seemingly affect not solely its relationship with Disney but additionally the broader financial panorama of Central Florida.
From managing public infrastructure to overseeing large-scale growth initiatives, the board’s selections will affect hundreds of thousands of tourists and residents alike. With its new management, the district is poised to steadiness financial development with governance reforms aimed toward growing accountability.
The appointment of Alexis Yarbrough, John Gilbert, and Scott Workman to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District represents a big milestone in Florida’s ongoing efforts to reshape the governance of considered one of its most iconic areas. Because the CFTOD enters a brand new chapter, its board members will play a key position in guiding the district by way of the complexities of tourism administration, infrastructure planning, and state oversight.
By consolidating management over the district, DeSantis’ administration goals to set a precedent for higher accountability within the governance of Florida’s tourism hubs. The affect of those modifications can be carefully watched because the state continues to navigate its relationship with Disney and its position as a world tourism chief.
