Dominic Calabro to step down from leading Florida TaxWatch

One of Florida’s most prominent government watchdog groups has announced major changes to its leadership team.

Florida TaxWatch has set its 2025-26 executive officers and executive committee members. The announcements were made at the organization’s annual meeting in Orlando.

One of the substantial changes will be the transition of Dominic Calabro from President and CEO. After anchoring the organization for decades, Calabro’s tenure as head of the organization comes to an end Jan. 1, when he will be replaced by Jeff Kottkamp, the current Executive Vice President and General Counsel.

Calabro has long been the face of TaxWatch in Florida and has never been shy about challenging elected officials over the spending of public funds. Calabro acknowledged that leading Florida TaxWatch for years has been humbling.

“For more than 45 years, Florida TaxWatch has worked to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. It has been an honor of a lifetime to have led this independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute and know that Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp will continue in its tradition as our incoming President and CEO,” Calabro said.

Kottkamp had an extensive career in politics before he shifted his efforts into TaxWatch. He was Florida’s Lieutenant Governor from 2007 to 2011 and was a Republican member of the House for six years prior to that, representing the Charlotte Harbor area of Southwest Florida.

Kottkamp admitted that he’s got a lot of work ahead of him taking over the duties of Calabro, who has been at the helm for about 40 years.

“Thank you to Dominic Calabro for his vision, his leadership, and his tenacity in ensuring Florida TaxWatch not only had a seat at the table, but led the discussion over the past four decades in defining and influencing policy impacting the state’s nearly 24 million residents. The mission continues and the legacy endures,” Kottcamp said.

Other 2025-26 TaxWatch officers include David Casey as Chair, Samira Beckwith as Chair-elect, David Nicholson as Secretary, Scott Moss as Treasurer, Piyush Patel as Immediate Past Chair and Calabro as Immediate Past President and CEO.

Casey said he’s ready to take up the work and move the organization forward.

“I am thrilled to lead Florida TaxWatch as Chair for the upcoming year and look forward to continuing its respected tradition as the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers,” Casey said. “My sincere admiration and appreciation to our Immediate Past Chair, Piyush Patel, for his commitment and steadfast leadership to the Florida TaxWatch organization.”