Governor Makes Two Judicial Appointments and Names Five Others to State Boards and Corporations

Tallahassee – Friday May 27, 2022: Governor Ron DeSantis Friday announced two Judicial Appointments and named five others to state boards and corporations:

Danielle Brewer appointed to the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court and Sarah Jones is appointed to the Lake County Court

Danielle Brewer, of Arcadia, to serve as a Judge on the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court – Brewer has served as a Judge on the DeSoto County Court since her appointment by Governor Rick Scott in 2016. Previously, she served as an Associate Attorney at Swaine & Harris , PA for four years. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Mercer University. Brewer fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Debra J. Riva.

Sarah Jones, of Mount Dora, to serve as a Judge on the Lake County Court – Jones has served as a General Magistrate in Lake County since December of 2019. Previously, she served as an Attorney in the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and her law degree from Barry University. Jones fills the judicial vacancy created by the elevation of Judge Jason Nimeth.

Charbel Barakat, John “Michael” Quijano, and Taylor Smith appointed to the Florida Development Finance Corporation

Charbel Barakat – Barakat, of Tampa, is the Regional General Counsel for DR Horton, Inc. He currently serves as a Commissioner for the Second District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. Barakat is Vice President of the Federalist Society for the Tampa Bay Chapter and Chairman of the Volume Builders Council for the Florida Home Builders Association. Barakat earned his bachelor’s degree in international studies from John Hopkins University and his juris doctor from New York University School of Law.

John “Michael” Quijano – Quijano, of Miami, is the Director of United States Key Accounts and LATAM Region for Insightec and Principal of the Slate Equity Group. Quijano earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lynn University and his master’s degree in accounting from Florida International University.

Taylor Smith – Smith, of Jacksonville, is the President and Founder of Project Finance and Development Investments LLC and Ortega Tiger Consulting Inc. He is a current board member for Young Life Metro Jacksonville. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Princeton University.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Robert Flippo appointed to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees

Robert Flippo – Flippo, is the Chief Executive Officer of MobileHelp. He currently serves as the Secretary for the Medical Alert Monitoring Association and holds seven United States patents for communications systems. Flippo earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of South Florida and his master’s in business administration from the University of Miami.

This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Richard Corcoran appointed to the Board of Governors of the State University System

Richard Corcoran – Corcoran is a practicing attorney and the former Commissioner for the Florida Department of Education. He previously served as Speaker of the Florida House from 2016 to 2018. Corcoran is a Veteran of the United States Naval Reserve and earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Leo College and juris doctorate from Regent University.

This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

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