Released by Governor Ron DeSantis’ Office …
Governor Wishes Poppell Well in Retirement
Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis thanked Department of Lottery Secretary Jim Poppell for his years of dedicated service to the State of Florida following the Secretary’s announcement that we he will be retiring.
“Jim Poppell is a dedicated public servant and consummate professional who agreed to continue serving our state when I became governor after a lengthy career in the private and public sectors,” said Governor DeSantis. “Under Jim’s leadership at the Florida Lottery, students have benefited from outstanding educational opportunities provided by the department. I thank Jim for his years of service and wish him the very best in retirement. He will be missed.”
“Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for your leadership and the opportunity to serve as Secretary of the Florida Lottery during the first year of your transformational administration,” said Florida Lottery Secretary Jim Poppell. “The more than 400 employees at the Florida Lottery have worked hard and accomplished much this year, including the successful installation and conversion to a new gaming system. We also just awarded the contract for our new scratch ticket vendor, which will save the state approximately $18 million annually. My wife, Jeanette, and I will be forever grateful to have served you and the people of Florida.”
Jim Poppell has served as the Secretary of the Florida Lottery since July 2017 where he led more than 400 employees to increase sales and transfers to enhance education while also maintaining relationships with more than 13,000 retailers. Prior to joining the Florida Lottery, Poppell served as Chief of Staff at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Poppell previously served as Executive Vice President of Human Resources at NextEra Energy, Inc., held several leadership positions at Florida Power & Light Company and was a Litigator with Foley & Lardner LLP.
Poppell received his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri, his Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University in Michigan and his Bachelor of Arts in History from Eckerd College.
A copy of Secretary Poppell’s resignation letter to Governor DeSantis is available HERE.