Jamal Sowell

Last updated

Jamal Allen Sowell is a business executive in the state of Florida. [1] He served as the Florida Secretary of Commerce and as the chief executive officer of Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI), the state's primary economic development agency under Governor Ron DeSantis. [2] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sowell assisted the Governor on keeping Florida businesses open during a national economic downturn. The DeSantis Administration called Sowell's efforts to support the state's pro-business policies, "indispensable" in making Florida "the beacon of opportunity for the entire country." [3] After serving as one of the original cabinet members under DeSantis, Sowell resigned as Secretary of Commerce near the end of 2021 to attend military training for the United States Navy Reserve. [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Jamal Sowell is a sixth generation Florida native born in Orlando, Florida to James and Lutricia Sowell. Sowell's parents met at Florida A&M University (FAMU) where his father was the class of 1968 Army ROTC distinguished military graduate. Sowell is a proud monthly donor to FAMU.

The Sowell family has a multi-generational tradition of military service. Sowell's grandfather fought in World War II, while his father served in Vietnam, and brother deployed to Iraq where he became disabled. Sowell's father was one of Florida's first 100 African-American attorneys. [4]

Sowell's parents both hail from the rural Florida regions of Hamilton, Lake County and Jackson County. Sowell was raised in the Pine Hills neighborhood of Orlando, Florida. He attended Dr. Phillips High School before transferring to West Oaks Academy, a small Christian school. His Uncle is Commodores Founder Thomas McClary, and his cousin is Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kurtis Wilder.

Sowell attended the University of Florida, where he became Student Body President and a member of the University Board of Trustees. [5] Sowell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion in 2005, with a minor in Family, Youth and Community Sciences. He was awarded the UF Outstanding Male Leader Award, inducted into the UF Hall of Fame, [6] and received the UF Outstanding Young Alumni Award. [7] He sits on the UF Alumni Association Board of Directors. He did coursework in 19th century American literature under Professor Barry O'Connell at Amherst College, while he worked at Amherst College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has also worked at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Sowell earned a Master's of Higher Education Administration & Policy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Juris Doctor and a certificate in constitutional design from Indiana University Bloomington Maurer School of Law. At Indiana University Bloomington, Sowell was a Pat Tillman Scholar. [8] He also served on the editorial board for the Indiana Journal of Constitutional Design and was an associate with the Indiana Center for Constitutional Democracy. While pursuing his degree in law, Sowell worked for Congressman Todd Young. He lived in Israel and worked for Shurat HaDin, a non-governmental organization in Israel dedicated to fighting terrorist organizations through legal action. Sowell was selected by The Federalist Society to be an editor for the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy Symposium. Sowell was also appointed to a state board regulating health facility administrators by Indiana Governor Mike Pence. [9] [10]

Sowell is a 2018 graduate of the Florida Taxwatch Citizenship Institute and is a Club for Growth Fellow. He was a Higher Educational Leadership Foundation (H.E.L.F.) Fellow.

Military service

While in graduate school, Sowell enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve as a Private First Class. After completing graduate school, he went to active duty and was commissioned as an Officer. He served in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010 during one of the deadliest years for troops in Afghanistan. [11] Sowell continues to serve his nation as an officer in the United States Navy Reserve.

Career

Jamal Sowell was selected by Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida to serve as the state's Secretary of Commerce and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) the state's principal economic development organization at the outset of the Governor's administration. Enterprise Florida is a public private partnership which coupled Florida's department of commerce with a private sector Board of Directors to direct economic development efforts throughout the state. EFI works with the state's economic development associations, economic development partners and private sector businesses to recruit new employers to the state while creating new business opportunities abroad for Florida-based businesses.

Sowell oversaw the 3 statewide offices and 14 international offices. When Sowell left the role, Florida had 16 consecutive months of job growth after the height of shutdowns at the start of the pandemic. Enterprise Florida led the relocation or expansion of companies like Dun & Bradstreet, The Boeing Company, Citigroup, Pfizer, The Blackstone Group, Goldman-Sachs, Ark Invest, [12] and many more in the Sunshine State. In his resignation letter he told the Governor, "What you did was very simple but very different from other states: you let the world know that we were open and ready for business," Sowell said. "That alone, drew remarkable interest in Florida and Florida businesses, sparking a migration of hundreds of thousands of new residents here." [11]

During Sowell's tenure, the organization organized the largest trade mission to Israel in the state's history on behalf of the Governor. [13] The goal of the mission was to strengthen ties between Florida and the State of Israel. This trip solidified future trade ties with Israel as it was the first time a governor from any U.S. state, visited both the University of Ariel and the region of Gush Etzion. While in Israel, the governor visited Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. He also signed an anti-Semitism bill passed unanimously by the Florida House and Senate. Governor DeSantis participated in round tables and discussions with Israeli experts addressing a broad range of issues from water and agricultural technology, medical and environmental research, tourism, cultural and educational exchanges, to school safety and security.

The Florida delegation met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and two Israeli Cabinet members, the Minister of Science, Ofir Akunis, and the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Gilad Erdan, to discuss ways to strengthen relations between Florida and Israel in a variety of areas including space technologies, cybersecurity, emergency management, increasing trade, and investments. They also met with executives from EL AL airlines. [14] This mission was a natural continuation for Sowell because of his time working in Israel and experience in college advocating for the U.S.-Israel relationship. [15] [16] [17]

Sowell led Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. He assisted the Governor in leading EFI through the national recession as DeSantis led Florida's remarkable economic recovery by serving on the Governor's "Re-Open Florida Task Force" executive committee. [18] The Governor lauded Sowell's leadership of Enterprise Florida, stating "I want to thank EFI for keeping Florida top of mind for investors and job creators, assisting existing Florida companies expand globally and maintaining programs that help all Florida businesses succeed." [19]

Prior to joining the DeSantis Administration, Sowell was selected by Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson as the served as Chief of Staff for Port Tampa Bay. Port Tampa Bay is Florida's largest port by acreage and a key economic engine in the Tampa Bay region, generating $17.2 billion of total economic value. During his time in Tampa Bay, Sowell was appointed by the Pinellas County Commission to the Pinellas County Economic Development Council to help develop programs for economic development and trade opportunities for the Tampa Bay community. [20] During this time, Governor-elect Ron DeSantis selected Sowell to be on the transition advisory committee on the economy composed of Florida's most recognized experts to help the Governor-elect shape the future of Florida's economy. [21]

Sowell previously served as the special assistant to University of Florida President Dr. Bernie Machen, where he was a member of the president's cabinet and served as assistant corporate secretary for the university. [22] [23]

Personal life

Jamal lives with his wife, a teacher who is a graduate of Alcorn State University and Florida A&M University.

In 2023, Florida Trend named him as one of the 500 most influential business leaders in state and Governor DeSantis appointed him to the Florida Defense Support Task Force, a legislatively mandated body whose mission enhance Florida’s military missions and installations. [24] [25] He is a member of the Florida Council of 100. He is on the National Board of Directors for Team Red, White and Blue and Maverick PAC (MavPAC). He also serves as a Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor for Align Business Advisory Services.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Florida</span> Public university in Gainesville, Florida

The University of Florida is a public land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida. It is a senior member and flagship of the State University System of Florida. The university traces its origins to 1853 and has operated continuously on its Gainesville campus since September 1906.

Jonathan Satter is an American business executive and government official.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Brodeur</span> American politician

Jason T. Brodeur is a Florida State Senator representing the 10th district, which consists of Seminole and a small part of Orange County. Before the redistricting that took effect with the 2022 election, he represented the old 9th district. A Republican, Brodeur also serves as the president and CEO of the Seminole County Chamber, which advocates for pro-business practices in Seminole County and across the state of Florida. He previously served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018. From 2010-2012, he represented the 33rd District. During his final six years in the Florida House, Brodeur represented the 28th District, which consists of eastern Seminole County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron DeSantis</span> Governor of Florida since 2019

Ronald Dion DeSantis is an American politician serving since 2019 as the 46th governor of Florida. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Florida's 6th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018. DeSantis was a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, withdrawing his candidacy in January 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilton Simpson</span> American politician (born 1966)

Wilton Earl Simpson is an American politician who has served as the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture since 2023. From 2012 to 2022, he served as a member of the Florida Senate, representing areas around Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties. He was elected Senate President for the 2020–2022 legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Kerner</span> American politician

David M. Kerner currently serves as the executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. He is the former county mayor and a county commissioner for, Palm Beach County and a former Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives. He is a sworn law enforcement officer and is a former special prosecutor. He also is a practicing complex litigation trial attorney in West Palm Beach, Florida, and is known as a leader on issues relating to constitutional law, criminal law, judicial issues, and law enforcement issues. He lives in Lake Worth Beach,.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States Senate election in Florida</span> Election

The 2016 United States Senate election in Florida was held November 8, 2016 to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Florida, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. The primary elections for both the Republicans and Democrats took place on August 30, 2016.

Enterprise Florida, Inc.(EFI) was a public–private partnership between Florida’s business and government leaders and was the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida. EFI’s mission was to expand and diversify the state’s economy through job creation. In pursuit of its mission, EFI worked closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and was funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses. Enterprise Florida did not disclose who its donors were.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Florida gubernatorial election</span>

The 2018 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Florida, alongside an election to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives and other state and local elections. Incumbent two-term Republican governor Rick Scott was term-limited and could not run for a third term, and he successfully ran for Florida's Class I Senate seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Andrade</span> American politician from Florida

Robert Alexander Andrade is a Republican member of the Florida Legislature representing the state's 2nd House district, which includes parts of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laurel Lee</span> American judge and politician (born 1974)

Laurel Frances Lee is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representatives for Florida's 15th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, she was a judge on Florida's Thirteenth Judicial Circuit from 2013 to 2019 and was the 30th Secretary of State of Florida from 2019 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Florida gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Florida gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Florida, alongside other state and local elections. Incumbent Republican Party governor Ron DeSantis won re-election in a landslide and defeated the Democratic Party nominee, former U.S. representative Charlie Crist, who previously served as governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011 as a Republican and later as an Independent. No Democrat has been elected governor of Florida since 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">COVID-19 pandemic in Florida</span>

On March 1, 2020, the U.S. state of Florida officially reported its first two COVID-19 cases in Manatee and Hillsborough counties. There is evidence, however, that community spread of COVID-19 first began in Florida much earlier, perhaps as early as the first week of January, with as many as 171 people in Florida who had shown symptoms now identified with COVID-19, prior to receiving confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By March 11, the CDC saw evidence to conclude that community spread of the virus had occurred within the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renatha Francis</span> American judge (born 1976 or 1977)

Renatha Sian Francis is an American lawyer who has served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Florida since 2022. She previously served as a circuit judge in Palm Beach County from 2019 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election</span>

The 2022 Florida Commissioner of Agriculture election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. Incumbent Democratic Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried was eligible to run for a second term, but she instead ran for governor of Florida in 2022. Republican Wilton Simpson won the election with over 59% of the vote. Simpson’s victory gave Republicans complete control of state government for the first time since Reconstruction.

The political positions of Ron DeSantis have been recorded from his 2012 election to the United States House of Representatives and his tenure as Representative, the 2016 United States Senate election in Florida, and during his tenure as governor of Florida. DeSantis is considered a conservative Republican.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Florida Senate election</span>

The 2022 elections for the Florida State Senate took place on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, to elect state senators from all 40 districts. Although on ordinary years, 20 senators are elected at a time on a staggered basis, races following redistricting elect all 40 members to ensure that each member represents an equal number of constituents. The Republican Party expanded their Senate majority from 24 to 28, gaining a supermajority in the Senate. The concurrently held House elections also resulted in a supermajority, giving Republicans supermajority control of the legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Ladapo</span> American physician

Joseph Abiodun Ladapo is the surgeon general of Florida since 2021. He has attracted attention for promoting vaccine hesitancy and opposing various measures to control COVID-19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew H. Warren</span> American prosecutor and politician

Andrew Howard Warren is an American prosecutor and politician who has been the state attorney for Florida's 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County since 2017. In August 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Warren. On June 22, 2023 the Florida State Supreme Court dismissed a suit filed by Warren challenging his dismissal. In early 2024, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that DeSantis violated Warren's First Amendment rights and sent the case back, assuring the original judge he had the authority to reinstate the state attorney. Warren was previously a federal prosecutor in the fraud division at the United States Department of Justice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governorship of Ron DeSantis</span>

Ron DeSantis has served as the 46th governor of Florida since January 8, 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he narrowly defeated Democratic challenger Andrew Gillum in the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election. As governor, DeSantis resisted taking many of the measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 that various other state governments implemented, such as face-mask mandates, stay-at-home orders, and vaccination requirements. During the pandemic, Florida experienced above-average economic growth. DeSantis cut state-government spending, which, combined with federal stimulus payments and high sales-tax revenue, led to the largest budget surplus in Florida history. He engaged in recovery efforts after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole, and oversaw the passage of the controversial Parental Rights in Education Act. He was reelected in a landslide in the 2022 Florida gubernatorial election; his 19.4% margin of victory over Charlie Crist was the state's largest in 40 years. He has generally governed as a conservative.

References

  1. ↑ Aboye (2022-06-23). "Indelible Taps Former Florida Secretary of Commerce to Lead Business Solutions Practice". Indelible. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  2. ↑ Nicol, Ryan (2018-12-13). "Ron DeSantis wants Jamal Sowell to lead Enterprise Florida". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  3. 1 2 "Jamal Sowell to exit top job at Enterprise Florida". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  4. ↑ "Fluent in Floridian: 82. Florida Secretary of Commerce Jamal Sowell on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  5. ↑ "History | sg.ufl.edu". sg.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  6. ↑ "Hall of Fame Members | DIVISION OF STUDENT LIFE". studentlife.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  7. ↑ "40 Gators Under 40 - University of Florida Alumni Association". connect.ufalumni.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  8. ↑ "Scholars - Meet our Scholars". Pat Tillman Foundation. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  9. ↑ Brown, Alex; Editor, Assistant Managing. "Pence Announces Latest Appointments". Inside INdiana Business. Retrieved 2022-10-07.{{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  10. ↑ "Florida's commerce secretary visits". fortmyersbeachtalk.com. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  11. 1 2 Downey, Renzo (2021-10-04). "Jamal Sowell gets call for Navy Reserve training, will step down as Enterprise Florida leader". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  12. ↑ LLC, ARK Investment Management. "ARK Investment Management LLC Announces Relocation of Its Corporate Headquarters and Groundbreaking for the ARK Innovation Center". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  13. ↑ "IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Florida governor's trip to Israel solidifies our future trade ties" . Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  14. ↑ Powers, Scott (2019-07-09). "At El Al inaugural flight, Ron DeSantis, Israel consul speak of Florida closeness". Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  15. ↑ "First Aipac-sponsored Tour for Non-jewish Students Strengthens Tie". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  16. ↑ Reprints, External (2006-08-23). "Non-Jews Defend Israel on Campus - SPME Scholars for Peace in the Middle East". SPME. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  17. ↑ My Israel Story - Jamal Sowell , retrieved 2022-10-07
  18. ↑ "Governor Ron DeSantis' Re-Open Florida Task Force Executive Committee" . Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  19. ↑ Hewes, Daniel (2019-12-26). "Enterprise Florida Highlights Accomplishments Under Governor DeSantis During First Year in Office". Enterprise Florida. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  20. ↑ Bay, Port Tampa. "Port Tampa Bay Chief Of Staff Jamal Sowell Recommended By Governor-Elect DeSantis To Lead Enterprise Florida". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  21. ↑ "Will Weatherford to Head Up Ron DeSantis' Advisory Committee on the Economy". Florida Daily. 2018-11-28. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  22. ↑ "UF president names former student body president as assistant - News - University of Florida". news.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  23. ↑ writer, Jeff Schweers Staff. "For Jamal Sowell, aide to Machen, the mission is to be a college president". The Star Banner. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
  24. ↑ "Leadership Florida - 2023 Florida 500 - Leadership Florida". www.leadershipflorida.org. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  25. ↑ "Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Four to the Florida Defense Support Task Force" . Retrieved 2024-03-29.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.