GOVERNOR BUSH NAMES TONI JENNINGS AS LT. GOVERNOR - March 3, 2003
3/3/2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: ELIZABETH HIRST
MONDAY, MARCH 3, 2003 (850) 488-5394
GOVERNOR BUSH NAMES TONI JENNINGS AS LT. GOVERNOR
--First Woman to Hold the Office of Lt. Governor in Florida's History--
Revised
TALLAHASSEE-Governor Jeb Bush today announced former State Senate President Toni Jennings as his new Lt. Governor, replacing Frank Brogan, who is leaving to serve as president of Florida Atlantic University. Jennings, 53, a native Orlando businesswoman and former two-term State Senate President, will be the first woman in Florida's history to serve in this position.
"I'm excited to have enlisted Toni Jennings to serve as my partner in this endeavor. Her years of public service, as well as her vast experience in the private sector, make her uniquely qualified to be the next Lt. Governor of Florida," Bush said.
"It's an honor to have the opportunity to again serve the state of Florida, and particularly to work with this Governor, who has made improving education his top priority," said Jennings. "I look forward to being a part of his team."
"Toni's business, legislative and education background will make her an asset to the Governor, and for the state of Florida," said outgoing Lt. Governor Frank Brogan.
As Lt. Governor, Jennings will work closely with Governor Bush to promote and advance his legislative agenda, and will also serve as a conduit for agency issues with the Governor's office.
Jennings currently serves as President of Jack Jennings and Son, Inc., a construction company in central Florida. This year, she was elected chairman-elect of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
Her elected public service career spans 24 years. She was the youngest female ever elected to the Florida Legislature, in 1976, and served an unprecedented two consecutive terms as President of the Florida Senate, from 1996-2000.
She is credited with championing solutions to Florida's sky rocketing workers' compensation costs, launching Florida's successful efforts to move citizens from welfare-to-work, and Florida's School Readiness program. She is also a former teacher at Orlando's Killarney Elementary. During her legislative tenure, she was recognized by many of Florida's top public and private organizations for her outstanding leadership. Among those: Legislator of the Year and Friend of Education Award by the Florida School Board Association, Florida Guardian of Small Businesses by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Florida Wildlife Association/National Wildlife Association Conservation Legislator of the Year and twice received the Friend of the First Amendment by the First Amendment Foundation.
Bush praised Lt. Governor Frank Brogan for his four years of service to the state, and wished him good luck with his future endeavors as FAU President. "Frank's shoes will be hard to fill, and I will miss his friendship, loyalty, and particularly his wonderful sense of humor."
Jennings will assume the office of Lt. Governor on Wednesday, March 5, at a swearing-in ceremony in Orlando.
# # #
BIOGRAPHY OF TONI JENNINGS
A successful Orlando businesswoman, former two-term President of the Florida State Senate, and former fifth grade school teacher, Toni Jennings is arguably one of the most distinguished and versatile public servants in Florida's history.
Jennings currently serves as President of Jack Jennings and Sons, a central Florida construction company, and established herself early on as an energetic and reputable leader in an industry dominated by men. In 2002, the family-owned business celebrated its 54th anniversary.
A native Floridian, Jennings, 53, spent 24 years elected in public service. She was the youngest female elected to the Florida House of Representatives at the time (1976), and was subsequently elected to the Florida Senate in 1980. She was the first Republican woman in the Legislature elected by her colleagues to serve as President of the Senate, and was the first Senator in history to serve two successive terms as President (1996-2000). She was also the first Republican woman Minority Leader of either house of the legislature, serving two terms (1983-1984 and 1986-1988).
A champion for public education, Jennings served as the driving force behind Florida's school readiness program. During her Senate Presidency, she earned both the "Legislator of the Year" and "Friend of Education" awards by the Florida School Board association.
Jennings championed solutions to Florida's rising workers' compensation costs, and helped launch Florida's successful efforts to move citizens from welfare to work. She is an authority on Florida's workforce issues, having served as Chairman of Workforce Florida from 2000-2002. In this capacity, she continued her legislative efforts at balancing the needs of Florida's workers with Florida's business needs in seeking skilled and job-ready employees.
Additional awards during her legislature tenure included Florida Guardian of Small Businesses by the National Federation of Independent Businesses; Florida Wildlife Association/National Wildlife Association Conservation Legislator of the Year, Florida School Boards Association, A Friend of Education Award, and Jennings was twice named the Friend of the First Amendment by the First Amendment Foundation.
She continues to serve as a civic leader in the central Florida area, and was recently named the Chairman-Elect of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Jennings also serves on the Rollins College Board of Directors, Florida Tax Watch Board, the National Advisory Council of the Arnold Palmer Hospital and the University of Central Florida Foundation Board.
Jennings is the oldest of three children. She graduated from Central Florida public schools and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wesleyan College in Georgia. While teaching, she sought a Masters degree as a reading specialist from Rollins College.
# # #
