Governor Ron DeSantis has named John Davis, the Executive Vice President of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce, as the new Secretary of the Florida Lottery.
The lottery’s secretary position has been vacant since January when Randall Hunt resigned abruptly after less than two months in the job. The Orlando Sentinel reported a background check turned up an allegation of domestic violence.
Davis previously served as president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida and once held a leadership role at the Republican Party of Florida. He will become the lottery’s Secretary pending Senate approval.
In a prepared statement, via WLRN, DeSantis praised Davis’ public, private and educational experience, saying: “His business focus and passion for student success will serve him well as he takes over this important department.”
Davis will take over an agency that has more than 400 employees and produces more than $6bn in sales a year. Due to the coronavirus, the agency recently reopened to the public but only through appointments.
The agency has also recently raised the price of Florida Lotto tickets from $1 to $2 as part of a rebranding that includes increased non-jackpot cash prizes.
In a news release from the governor’s office, Davis focused on the lottery’s ties to funding public education through ticket sales.
He said: “The Florida Lottery’s mission to maximize support for public education is closely aligned with my work over the years in the greater Orlando community to support our youth and students and help them achieve their dreams.
“I look forward to furthering this mission at the Lottery and working with elected officials and our business partners to meet our education and sales goals.”