The jobs governor is losing one of his top economic advisors.
Doug Darling, executive director of the newly formed Department of Economic Opportunity, submitted a resignation letter to Gov. Rick Scott early Friday morning. In the letter, in which Darling puts his “effective resignation date” at Feb. 29, Darling states that he had planned on staying through the legislative session, but that his last day at work will be Tuesday, more than one month before the scheduled end of session.
Citing personal reasons for the early departure, Darling leaves behind an agency in its infancy. The DEO was created last year, formed of parts of the Department of Community Affairs, the Agency for Workforce Innovation and the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development. Scott appointed Darling to lead the new organization on July 28, althought it did not officially start until Oct. 1.
In a released statement, Scott thanked Darling for his service in state government and at the DEO, and announced Cynthia Lorenzo, former AWI director, as interim executive director.
“I am incredibly grateful for Doug’s 15 years of service to the state of Florida and the contributions he has provided to numerous state agencies and my office. I appointed Doug in July to lead the new agency, and I thank him for his invaluable efforts in getting DEO off the ground. He has been a tremendous asset during these first months of the agency and has been instrumental in promoting Florida as the top place to do business," Scott said.
The Marine Corps veteran has 15 years of experience in state government, serving in the Department of Financial Services, the Department of Education and as Chief of Staff and Inspector General for the Department of Environmental Protection.
Here is the text of Darling’s letter to Scott:
"Dear Governor Scott:
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your administration. When you asked me to help create your new Department of Economic Opportunity, I was honored to assist.
As we discussed, I committed to stay through the agency’s first session. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, I am requesting my last day of work be January 31, 2012and my resignation effective date be February 29, 2012. I will continue to support your staff and Secretary [Gray] Swoope to ensure a smooth transition until February 29th.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve you and our state.
Doug Darling
Executive Director"
Reporter Gray Rohrer can be reached at grohrer@thefloridacurrent.com.
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