Released by the DeSantis Transition Team ———-
Tallahassee, Fla. – Governor-elect Ron DeSantis has recommended former Florida State Senator Dana Young to the Visit Florida Board of Directors to be selected as the next CEO of Visit Florida.
“Dana Young is an exceptional leader who has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all Floridians through her work in the state senate,” said Governor-elect Ron DeSantis. “Her leadership ability and experience make her an excellent candidate to lead Visit Florida in their mission to maximize the economic impact of travel and tourism to our state. I look forward to working with Dana to strengthen our tourism industry and build on the economic success of our great state.”
Dana Young, CEO of the Visit Florida
Dana Young, a sixth-generation Floridian, was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. In November 2010, she was elected to the Florida House of Representatives and served District 60 until November 2016. In November 2016, she was elected to the Florida Senate (Tampa – 18th District). Senator Young is a product of the Florida public school system, and received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Florida State University. In pursuit of her interest of the law and public policy, Senator Young graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1993, and then returned home to Florida to begin her legal career at Fowler, White, Boggs, P.A.
In October 2014, then Representative Young was tapped by Florida House Speaker Crisafulli as Majority Leader to serve for the 2015 and 2016 legislative sessions. This follows two years serving as Majority Whip and Deputy Majority Leader under Speaker Will Weatherford. In April 2013, she was appointed by Governor Scott to the Florida Defense Support Task Force. From 2011-2012 she served as Chairman of the influential Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation.
Sen. Young has worked tirelessly to pass legislation aimed at creating an exceptional business climate and a world-class quality of life for Floridians. In her legislative career, she has sponsored and passed numerous bills, which are now law. She and her husband, Matt, have been married for over 20 years and have two daughters, Alexandra and Carson.