December 14, 2006
Source: The Office of Governor Elect Charlie Crist

TALLAHASSEE – Governor-Elect Charlie Crist today appointed Kurt Browning to serve as Florida’s Secretary of State and Dr. Andrew Agwunobi to serve as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration.

“I look forward to working with the Senate to quickly confirm both of these fine public servants,” said Governor-Elect Crist. 

Crist added, “Mr. Browning’s consistent focus on ethics and integrity in his role as a Supervisor of Elections is a clear indication of the leadership and accountability he will bring to this office. His 25 years of experience will be a great benefit to our state.”

Browning is currently the Supervisor of Elections for Pasco County. He has served in this capacity since 1980, including a tenure as the President of the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections. Browning served on Governor Jeb Bush’s Task Force on Election Procedures, Standards and Technology and on the State Planning Committee for the Help America Vote Act. He graduated from the University of South Florida.

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve the State of Florida in this role and eager to begin work with Governor-Elect Crist,” said Browning.

Dr. Agwunobi is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for St. Joseph Health Care System which operates hospitals in California, Texas, and New Mexico. He formerly worked as the President and CEO of Grady Health System, the largest public health system in the Southeastern United States. Dr. Agwunobi also served as the Chief of Pediatric Urgent Care at Harvard Vanguard Medical Association. He graduated from the University of Jos in Nigeria, completed his pediatric residency at Howard University Hospital, and later graduated from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

“Dr. Agwunobi carries a wealth of knowledge in the fields of medicine and medical administration in both the public and private sectors,” said Governor-Elect Crist. “I am confident he will use his experience as an administrator and compassion as a physician to champion for accessibility to quality health care in the state of Florida.”

“Governor-Elect Crist has been an advocate of affordable healthcare for all Floridians and I am enthusiastic to begin working to ensure the highest standard of medical care is achieved in this state,” said Agwunobi.