Ron DeSantis names four members to Space Florida Board of Directors

Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed four members to Space Florida Board of Directors which is the state’s aerospace finance and development authority.

DeSantis is reappointing Matthew Bocchino to another term and named three new members Belinda Keiser, Alex King, and Tim Thomas to the board although all four appointments are subject to Florida Senate confirmation.

Bocchino is the Director of the Cecil Airport and Spaceport under the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.

“He was listed as a ‘Top 40 Under 40’ Recipient by Airport Business Magazine in 2020 and is a member of the Commercial Space Federation Board,” DeSantis said in a press release. “Bocchino earned his bachelor’s degree in history and his master’s degree in business administration from Jacksonville University.”

Keiser is the Vice Chancellor of Community Relations and Student Advancement at Keiser University, a private school.

“Active in her community, she has served as a member of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, the Florida Commission on the Status of Women, the Seventeenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, and the Florida Government Efficiency Task Force,”  DeSantis said in a press release. “Keiser earned her bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and her master’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University.”

King is the Executive Director of the Panama City Port Authority.

“Previously, he served as the Deputy Director of Cargo Operations and Business Development and Operations Manager for the Panama City Port Authority,”  DeSantis said in a press release.  “King earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and logistics from Auburn University.”

Thomas is a Consultant for I3 Solutions, a software development company.

“He is a veteran of the United States Army, serving from 1987 to 2010 and retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel,” DeSantis said in a press release. “Thomas earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Auburn University at Montgomery, his master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University, and is a graduate from the Command and General Staff College.”

The Space Florida appointments were among several DeSantis made just before Christmas.