Ret. Lieutenant Colonel David Gillespie named Florida Chamber Foundation as Executive Vice President

The Florida Chamber Foundation continues its planned growth, and after a national search, today announced Ret. Lieutenant Colonel David Gillespie has joined the team as Executive Vice President. In this role, David will lead the Florida Chamber Foundation to secure Florida’s future through the management and execution of the 39 goals of the Florida 2030 Blueprint, including coordinating key stakeholders to ensure Florida’s goal of becoming a top 10 global economy.

“Florida is at a crossroads and the Florida Chamber Enterprise is continuing to make intentional changes to align our talent to the Florida 2030 Blueprint and our mission to secure Florida’s future. The addition of David Gillespie, a battle tested, senior intelligence officer is the right leader at the right time to continue unifying Florida’s business community toward the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson.

David’s 32-year track record includes extensive professional and operational expertise including:

• Intelligence Officer with the United States Air Force who served in six major operational global conflicts and/or campaigns, including being deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan and charged in part to advise the Commanding General of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, the ISAF Director of Intelligence, and international staff on threats to nation building and coalition forces
• Professional experience via the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) intelligence apparatus and DOJ’s criminal justice field
• Executive projects leader with Booz | Allen | Hamilton supporting Department of Defense operation centers
• Executive and operational leadership, portfolio/program/project management, policy, budget, performance evaluation, research and development, and intelligence operations and analysis

“As a veteran of our United States military, David is a seasoned leader who understands the importance of putting the mission above self,” said Todd Powell, Chair of the Florida Chamber Foundation.

“As a Florida Chamber Board Member and Florida Chamber Foundation Trustee, I have watched the Florida Chamber Enterprise evolve and grow over the last year,” said Karen Moore, Founder of Moore, Inc. “The new addition of David Gillespie will continue to capitalize on this momentum.”

The Florida Chamber is continuing to expand its team in Tallahassee. If you know of talented people who want a career in fighting for free enterprise, please visit www.flchamber.com/about.

What They Are Saying…

“Congratulations on your new position with the Florida Chamber Foundation.  Dave brings a wonderfully developed skill set of vision, creativity, forward thinking and team leadership to this appointment.  In my work experience with Dave at the U.S DOJ, Bureau of Justice Assistance, he served as a principal support contractor responsible for executing national policy initiatives focused on law enforcement officer safety initiatives across the national landscape.  This was a demanding and complex team undertaking where Dave’s leadership and creativity proved significant for successful programmatic officer safety and wellness delivery to law enforcement agencies nation-wide.  The Chamber is fortunate to have David as a new team member.” – Steven M. Edwards, Ph.D. Senior Policy Advisor (Retired), Bureau of Justice Assistance, US Department of Justice

“Dave is the perfect choice to advocate and lead Floridians to new levels of economic prosperity.  I served under his fine leadership in the Air Force for many years.  His pedigree of leading in-garrison, globally, and in combat, lends itself well to lead the Florida Chamber Foundation.  Dave’s character and charisma are unmatched.” – Steven Watts II, Colonel, USAF

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