The term of the chairman of the Escambia Children’s Trust Board of Directors, Dr. Rex Northrup, expired Dec. 31, 2022. The terms of Stephanie White and Tori Woods expired on Dec. 31, 2024. However, they are legally allowed to continue serving and making decisions so long as the Governor has not reappointed someone to their position.
- Two positions remain open because Lonnie Wesley (12/31/22) and David Peaden (12/31/24) chose not to continue serving past their terms. This has made maintaining a quorum for board meetings challenging.
The Escambia County Commission has repeatedly approved applications and forwarded them to the governor’s office, the last time being this past February.
Names sent to Gov. DeSantis for consideration:
Calvin Avant
Stephen Bauer
Kenneth Bell
Meri DeSalvo
Kasja Gauntlett
Stephen Hayward
Lee Hansen
Willie Kirkland, Jr.
Jane Lauter
Melanie Luna
David Powell
Angelique Sanders
Willie Taylor
William Thompson
Stephanie White
Terrance White
Tori Woods
Note: Dr. Rex Northup isn’t listed, but White and Woods are seeking reappointments. Update: Dr. Northrup applied for reappoint in 2022, so there may other names still in the hopper.
What has changed?
On Friday, August 28, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Benjamin Nussbaum, Miriam Soler Ramos, and Luis Suarez, and the reappointment of Dr. Clara Lora Ospina to the Children’s Trust Governing Board of Miami-Dade County.
Perhaps he will finally consider the Escambia Children’s Trust after ignoring the vacancies for nearly three years.
