Gov. Ron DeSantis has reappointed Bill Heavener to the University of Florida Board of Trustees.
DeSantis announced this week that he reappointed Heavener, a private investment banker who is steeped in the arts and has a history of connections to high-ranking academia. The appointment comes as Heavener completed his most recent term Tuesday as a member of the UF Board.
Heavener was the subject of a federal lawsuit into complaints of fraud lodged against some of his interests. Heavener has extensive business connections and interests in academia. He is the CEO of The Heavener Co., an investment firm, co-Chair and CEO of the for-profit school in Winter Park Full Sail University, and co-Chair of the Los Angeles Film School, the Los Angeles Recording School and the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.
Several media reports in 2025 detailed allegations in a lawsuit that said two former employees accused Heavener of engaging in fraud at the Los Angeles schools and Full Sail University. Those complaints accused the institutions of engaging in fraud over the past decade by overstating figures about job placement in order to receive financial assistance from federal agencies.
Full Sail officials said the claims were unfounded and the two people making the allegations never actually worked for Full Sail.
“To be clear, at no time did Full Sail University engage in any of the improper conduct as described in their complaint. The lawsuit simply discusses what they believe to be activities at The Los Angeles Film School and attempts to associate it to Full Sail solely due to our relationships with the school,” a Full Sail statement said, adding the Los Angeles schools hold similar positions.
Heavener and others filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit in December.
The UF Board oversees the strategic direction of the school and financial well-being of the institution.
Heavener’s reappointment still needs confirmation from the Florida Senate.
