NEWS

MICHAEL MOLINE

Dec.9, 2016

Sydney Kitson, a former professional football player turned developer, has secured a one-month appointment to the Board of Governors of Florida’s State University System.

Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointment Thursday, subject to Senate confirmation.

Kitson will complete what’s left of former governor Morteza “Mori” Hosseini’s term. Hosseini stepped down in March to become a trustee of the University of Florida.

The term ends on Jan. 6. Lauren Schenone, an aide in the governor’s press office, could not say what Scott’s plans are for the seat after that date.

Kitson is chief executive officer of Kitson & Partners in Palm Beach Gardens.

He made headlines in 2006 when his business purchased Babcock, a 91,000-acre cattle ranch in Charlotte and Lee counties. He sold 73,000 acres to the state in the largest land preservation deal to that date.

In June 2015, Kitson was named to a one-year term as Southwest Florida regional board chairman for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and played as an offensive guard for the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys.

Scott “could not have made a better choice,” said Dominic Calabro, president and chief executive officer to Florida TaxWatch.

“Syd was highly effective serving as the innovative chairman of the TaxWatch Center for Health & Aging, helping TaxWatch be a leader in securing legislation on telehealth and expanded scope of practice for nurse and allied health professionals in the 2016 Legislative Session,” Calabro said in a written statement.