BARTOW, Fla. – Today, Commissioner-Elect Adam Putnam announced his Transition Team Co-chairs. Former CIA Director and Congressman Porter Goss, Ambassador John Rood, Former House Speaker Allan Bense and Tracy Duda Chapman will lead the effort with additional transition personnel announcements expected next week. Putnam also named Trey McCarley to staff the Transition as Executive Director. The website, www.freshfromflorida.com, has also been launched to receive ideas and input for the Department and communicate information to the public.
“With the election behind us, it is now time to focus on the transition as we prepare to form a new administration. I am pleased to have Director Goss, Ambassador Rood, Speaker Bense and Tracy Duda Chapman assist in this effort,” said Commissioner-Elect Adam Putnam. “I am also appointing Trey McCarley to serve as the Executive Director of my Transition Team. He will work closely with Commissioner Bronson’s staff as we move toward a seamless transition on January 4, 2011.”
“I am honored to work with the Commissioner-Elect in forming his administration. Adam will be a great leader on Florida’s Cabinet,” said Porter Goss, Co-Chair of the Putnam Transition Team.
“Adam’s passion for Florida’s future will be exciting to watch over the next four years, and I look forward to helping him implement his vision of creating jobs and conserving our resources,” said Ambassador John Rood, Co-Chair of the Putnam Transition Team.
“Florida is in good hands with Adam Putnam as Commissioner of Agriculture,” said Allan Bense, Co-Chair of the Putnam Transition Team.
“I am very pleased to assist Adam’s team as he forms his new administration to lead the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,” said Tracy Duda Chapman, Co-Chair of the Putnam Transition Team.
“Working with the Commissioner-Elect over the last two years has been an honor, and I am pleased to serve in this capacity,” said Trey McCarley, Executive Director of the Putnam Transition. “We are looking to put the best team on the field to serve the people of Florida. Please visit www.freshfromflorida.com to submit ideas for innovation in the Department.”
Director Porter Goss, Co-Chair Former CIA Director and U.S. Congressman. He served as the 19th and last Director of Central Intelligence from September 24, 2004 until April 21, 2005.
Previously, he served as the Congressman from Southwest Florida for almost 16 years. He was Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence from 1997 until his nomination as DCI in August 2004. During the 107th Congress, Mr. Goss co-chaired the joint congressional inquiry into the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
In addition to Intelligence, Mr. Goss’ Congressional career focused on the environment, House ethics, seniors issues, health care reform and the Rules Committee. He was a leader on Everglades restoration legislation as well.
Ambassador John D. Rood, Co-Chair Chairman of The Vestcor Companies and JDR Companies, Inc. headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. John served as United States Ambassador to the Bahamas from 2004 to 2007. In January 2010, Ambassador Rood was appointed to serve on the Board of Governors of the State University System and previously served as Chairman and Commissioner of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission from 2002 to 2004.
Mr. Rood is a former board member of the James Madison Institute. Mr. Rood has also served as a member of the University of North Florida Business Advisory Council and has served as a visiting professor at the University. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez appointed Mr. Rood to the Advisory Council on Community Renewal to help local communities take advantage of tax incentives to stimulate job growth and economic development.
Speaker Allan Bense, Co-Chair Partner of GAC Contractors headquartered in Panama City, Florida. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1998 and unanimously elected as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives on November 16, 2004.
Allan serves as Chairman of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Council of 100 and Enterprise Florida. In addition, he serves as Chair of Florida’s Taxation and Budget Reform and Florida Chamber’s Political Council Commission.
Tracy Duda Chapman, Co-Chair Senior Vice President of A. Duda & Sons headquartered in Oviedo, Florida. She is a member of the American Bar Association and the Orange County Bar Association.
Tracy previously served as a member of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Environmental and Pest Management Committee and a member of the Executive Board of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. She was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to two four-year terms as a Commissioner on Florida’s Environmental Regulation Commission. She is on the Board of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute and is the Past President of its Alumni Association. Tracy also served as the Finance Chairman for the Adam Putnam Campaign for Commissioner of Agriculture.
Trey McCarley, Executive Director Campaign Manager for the 2010 Adam Putnam Campaign for Commissioner of Agriculture. Trey previously served as Campaign Manager to Commissioner Charles Bronson’s re-election campaign in 2006.