Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday appointed former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner to the Board of Governors of the State University System, effective April 15, 2025, subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Renner, 57, served as Speaker from 2022 to 2024, representing District 19, which includes Flagler County and parts of St. Johns County. A veteran of the United States Navy, he began his legal career as a state prosecutor and is currently Of Counsel at the law firm Nelson Mullins. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Davidson College and a juris doctor from the University of Florida.

The Board of Governors oversees Florida’s public university system, setting policies and guiding the state’s higher education institutions.