Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made a series of sweeping appointments to multiple Boards of Trustees (BOT) across the state’s higher education systems.
A notable appointment to the state’s education leadership is Paul Renner to the Board of Governors of the State University System. Renner served as speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 19. He has decades of experience as a state prosecutor and previously served in the U.S. Navy. He earned his law degree from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree from Davidson College.
The Daytona State College District has welcomed one new appointment and three reappointments to its board, all slated to have their terms end May 31, 2029. Nellie Lupoli is the sole new admission to the BOT. She is a member of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation. She currently serves as vice president of a homebuilding company. Lupoli has a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University and both a master’s degree in accounting and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.
The first reappointment is Robert Lloyd, vice chair of the BOT. Lloyd is the principal of his own law firm and serves as chairman of the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is well-established in Florida’s higher institutions, operating as a member of the University of Florida Foundation and the University of Florida College of Law Board of Directors. He earned his law degree, as well as his bachelor’s degree, from the University of Florida.
Randall Dye has also been reappointed. An active community member, Dye has been the owner of a car dealership since 1997. Dye was originally appointed to the BOT in 2019. Outside of his work with the university, Dye is a member of the NASCAR Foundation and a noted community philanthropist.
Lloyd Freckleton will also remain a member of the Board. Freckleton previously worked as a warden for the New York City Department of Corrections. He has an exemplary career with the U.S. Military, rising to the role of colonel in the Army Reserve before his retirement. Freckleton earned his bachelor’s degree from John Jay College.
Charbel Barakat has been appointed to the University of South Florida BOT. He currently serves as corporate vice president and counsel for public policy with a home construction company. He is also a commissioner for the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, the Florida Development Finance Corporation and previously served as vice chair of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Commission. He has a law degree from New York University and a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Johns Hopkins University.
Tara Ezzell was selected as a member of the Santa Fe College District BOT. Ezzell is a licensed dermatologist and serves her community as assistant secretary of the Parker Road Community Development District Board of Directors. She is also an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Medical Association, the Florida Medical Association, the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery and the Alachua County Medical Society. Ezzell has a doctorate from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree from Emory University.
