Visit Florida CEO is leaving the state tourism marketing agency to join the new administration of governor-elect Ron DeSantis.
Ken Lawson will head up the Department of Economic Opportunity when DeSantis takes over as Governor from Rick Scott.
Gov. Scott brought in Lawson after previous Visit Florida CEO Will Seccombe was removed following a backlash over a marketing contract awarded to Miami rapper Pitbull.
Despite political in-fighting over the future role of Visit Florida and its budget, Lawson’s tenure maintained Florida’s hot streak of record tourism numbers.
Lawson has held numerous key roles in government including assistant secretary of enforcement for the U.S. Department of Treasury, and assistant chief counsel for field operations at the TSA.
"I have no doubt Ken will continue his tradition of outstanding leadership at the Department of Economic Opportunity and help the state continue to be an economic powerhouse," DeSantis said.
