EDC’s Weatherman Joins Veterans Florida Board of Directors

Weatherman appointed by Florida Senate President to serve on 9-member Board.

Space Coast, FL (April 4, 2019) – Lynda Weatherman, President and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC), was appointed to serve on the Veterans Florida Board of Directors by Florida Senate President, Senator Bill Galvano.

Veterans Florida, a 501c(3) corporation, was established by the legislature in 2014 as part of the Florida GI Bill, to serve as an innovative corporation to encourage recently retired or separated military personnel to make Florida their permanent residence. The corporation also works with veterans and the business community to promote the transition, training and hiring of recently retired or separated veterans statewide.

The 9-member Veterans Florida Board of Directors administer the Veterans Employment and Training Services Program for the state. A component of this initiative includes creation of a grant program to assist veterans in meeting the workforce-skill needs of businesses seeking to hire veterans. The board accomplishes this task in part by working closely with the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Visit Florida, Enterprise Florida and CareerSource Florida to accomplish its varied duties and tasks.

Under Ms. Weatherman’s leadership, the EDC continues to effectively support efforts of Space Coast military installations, including a yearly military advocacy Community Leaders Trip to Washington D.C., which recently celebrated its 16th consecutive year. In 2005, the EDC directed a strategic approach that resulted in the retention of the Space Coast’s Naval Ordnance Test Unit through the reversal of a BRAC Commission decision.

“I am honored to be appointed to Board of Veterans Florida, an organization that was established to encourage recently retired or separated military personnel to make Florida their home” said Ms. Weatherman. “I have always felt that these highly trained and professional personnel are an integral strength in our workforce, keeping Florida a highly competitive place to do business. I look forward to participating in furthering the vision of ensuring that Florida is the most veteran-friendly state in our nation.”

“The Veterans Florida Board of Directors is excited to welcome Lynda Weatherman as our newest member. Her experience at the intersection of military issues and economic development will make her a valuable asset to Veterans Florida and those we serve,” said Jim Sampey, Chairman of the Veterans Florida Board of Directors.

“I can’t think of a better candidate to be appointed to the Veterans Florida Board of Directors. Lynda understands the needs of our veterans and has taken this understanding to the Pentagon as an appointee to the Secretary of the United States Air Force Advisory Council,” said Daniel Ciuro, Chairman, EDC Space Coast Defense Alliance. “Locally, Lynda continues to envision relevant initiatives that complement our multiple, veteran workforce and corporate missions. She is a proven leader, as well as an innovation incubator, that has not only proven to be a visionary, but, most importantly, has proven to be one that executes and completes the vision.”

To learn more about Veterans Florida, visit www.VeteransFlorida.org

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About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org