TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater revealed Friday that he will leave the Florida Cabinet for a job with Florida Atlantic University.
Atwater will become vice president of strategic initiatives and chief financial officer for the Boca Raton-based school after the 2017 legislative session, which ends in May.
“I am honored to join FAU in such a significant capacity. While I would have preferred to embrace this opportunity at a later date, the timing of crucial university initiatives warranted an accelerated transition,” Atwater said in a released statement.
The CFO is a statewide elected position up for election every four years and is in charge of the state’s accounts. Atwater also oversees the Department of Financial Services, which houses the state’s insurance and banking regulatory agencies.
Atwater was first elected to the post in 2010 and was term limited in 2018. Gov. Rick Scott will appoint his successor.
“In the near term I will remain focused on the Department of Financial Services’ legislative agenda through the conclusion of the session and provide Governor Scott sufficient time to thoughtfully consider the selection of Florida’s next CFO,” Atwater said.
Whomever Scott appoints would get the advantages of incumbency and a head start on running for the job in 2018. A spokeswoman for Scott said he had no timeline as yet on filling the position.
“I got to know CFO Jeff Atwater well in 2010 on the campaign trail, and like me, he has been laser-focused on keeping the cost of living low for all Floridians,” Scott said in a released statement. “CFO Atwater is a proud Floridian, father, husband and friend and I will truly miss working with him. The role of the CFO is incredibly important to our state and I will begin the process to appoint someone to serve Florida families.”
Atwater is a Palm Beach County native and a former legislator who served in the Senate from 2002-2010, including the last two years as Senate President. He was once rumored to be eyeing a run for governor in 2018 but turned that down.
Atwater applied to become FAU president in 2014, but the job went to John Kelly.
“When I approached Jeff about joining us here, it was immediately obvious he cares passionately about FAU. There is no better person to help guide this university’s finances and corporate relationships as we continue with unbridled ambition to make FAU America’s fastest improving university,” Kelly stated.
Former state Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, who is considering a run for CFO, said he wouldn’t be dissuaded by the news of Atwater’s resignation. He downplayed any advantage a short-term incumbent Republican might have in a potential race.
“I guess they could have a fundraising leg up. I don’t think it’s going to be a big leg up,” said Ring. “I don’t think the Governor is going to appoint somebody who’s going ot have massive name ID in 2018.”
“It’ll likely be some one who’ll help (Scott) the most,” he said of Scott’s replacement decision.
grohrer@orlandosentinel.com or (850) 222-5564
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