For Immediate Release
May 14, 2020
Contact
AIF: Sarah Bascom / Kristen McDonald Grissom
Tallahassee, Fla. - The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF), Florida Retail Federation (FRF), National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA)’s RESET Task Force today announced bringing on Dr. Ed Moore as its executive director and Craig Fugate as a senior advisor, preparing the effort to move into its planning and research phase. The task force, whose membership has increased since it was announced last month, was formed to focus on providing industry-specific policy recommendations to the Florida Legislature and bringing forth initiatives that will seek to help all of Florida’s economy rebound from the effects of COVID-19 and future economic slowdowns.
“Ed and Craig bring a wealth of experience and background and we are so grateful they have agreed to help this effort,” said AIF Senior Vice President of State & Federal Affairs Brewster Bevis. “Governor DeSantis has led the recovery and reopening of our state with a steady hand, focusing on how we reopen our state for business and get Floridians back to work, all while continuing to focus on the management and containment of the virus. As RESET moves into its next phase and our growing membership comes together to share perspective and experiences, we look forward to echoing his leadership and exploring ways the business community can assist with future planning and recovery.”
“On behalf of the other co-chairs and all of the members of this growing task force, we thank both of these professionals for sharing their expertise with the group,” said NFIB Executive Director Bill Herrle. “With Ed and Craig at the helm and with our growing membership, we are excited about the work that lies ahead and the depth of knowledge this group will bring to the table.”
Dr. Ed Moore, who recently stepped down as President of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF), has served in both the legislative and executive branches of Florida government. Prior to ICUF, Moore was staff director for Policy, for Worker’s Compensation, for Medical Liability and for Public Safety and Security in the Florida House of Representatives. Moore also worked in the private sector for 21 years and has experience in areas ranging from multi-state commercial development and utilities, public safety, mental health, corrections, education at all levels, to higher education.
Craig Fugate is a leading expert in emergency management and crisis response. Having served as Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 2009 to 2017, Fugate led the federal government’s response through multiple record-breaking disaster years. Prior to that, as Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management from 2001 to 2009, he oversaw the state’s recovery efforts after numerous major hurricanes and launched the largest mutual aid response to affected states in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Fugate currently leads Craig Fugate Consulting LLC and serves as the Chief Emergency Management Officer for One Concern, an artificial intelligence platform for disasters. He is also a senior advisor to several organizations including The Cadmus Group, Inc., BlueDot Strategies and Interagency Readiness Solutions LLC.
Since the announcement of the RESET Task Force, the membership has grown, boasting 50 organizations and growing. A complete list of the RESET Task Force to date is listed below, in alphabetical order:
The RESET Task Force, which was announced last month, is co-chaired by AIF Senior Vice President of State & Federal Affairs Brewster Bevis, FRF President & CEO Scott Shalley, NFIB Executive Director Bill Herrle and FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover. The task force and its membership will focus on policy recommendations and initiatives that will seek to help all Florida’s economy rebound from the effects of COVID-19 and any large-scale incidents that could impact Florida’s economy in the future.
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About AIF
Known as “The Voice of Florida Business” in the Sunshine State, Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) has represented the principles of prosperity and free enterprise before the three branches of state government since 1920. A voluntary association of diversified businesses, AIF was created to foster an economic climate in Florida conducive to the growth, development, and welfare of industry and business and the people of the state. For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.
About FRF
The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) is the statewide trade association representing retailers -- the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers provide one out of every five jobs in the state, pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year. For more information on FRF, please visit FRF.org.
About NFIB
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information on NFIB, please visit NFIB.com.
About FRLA
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association, representing more than 10,000 members including independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks, and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry, which represents 1.5 million employees. For more information on FRLA, please visit FRLA.org and follow @FRLAnews.
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