Released by the DeSantis Transition Team ————–
Tallahassee, Fla. – Governor-elect Ron DeSantis today announced former Secretary of the Department of Management Services, Chad Poppell, will serve as Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families for the DeSantis-Nuñez Administration. An experienced public servant, Poppell will lead the agency beginning in January, as the DeSantis-Nuñez Administration takes office.
“Chad Poppell is a dedicated public servant with a proven track record of achievement within the public sector,” said Governor-elect Ron DeSantis. “From his service at the Department of Economic Opportunity to his leadership at the Department of Management Services, Chad is the kind of leader who will be committed to strengthening Florida’s families and fighting for Florida’s children.”
Chad Poppell, Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families
Chad Poppell currently works as the IBM Industry client Leader for Florida’s Public Sector, which includes state and local government, as well as K-12 and higher education. Before this role, Poppell served as the Secretary of the Department of Management Services. There he worked to support state agencies as well as current and former state employees with workforce and business-related functions.
Previously, Poppell served as Chief of Staff to the Department of Economic Opportunity, the state agency charged with advancing economic development, growth management, community development and workforce development activity across Florida.
In 2011, Poppell was employed as the Director of Employee Services by JEA in Jacksonville, Florida. Before his time in this role, Poppell served as the Chief of Human Resources for the City of Jacksonville.
Poppell earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia, and his Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia.