New Disney Oversight Board Members Appointed by Governor DeSantis

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Hey Disney Vacationers! Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Alexis Yarbrough, John Gilbert, and Scott Workman to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD), also known as the Disney Oversight Board. Yarbrough has been designated as Chair. These appointments are pending confirmation by the Florida Senate and come as the terms of Ron Peri and Bridget Ziegler are set to expire on February 26, 2025. Let’s take a look at the new Disney Oversight board members.

Who Are the New Disney Oversight Board Members?

Alexis Yarbrough – Chair (Pending Confirmation)

Yarbrough currently serves as Chair of the Broward College District Board of Trustees. She has also held roles as Chair and Commissioner on the Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. Yarbrough earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and a juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University.

John Gilbert (Pending Confirmation)

Gilbert is the Executive Managing Director at Stream Realty Partners. His expertise in commercial real estate has earned him the title of Orlando Office Broker of the Year in both 2007 and 2012, awarded by the National Association of Industrial and Office Parks, Commercial Real Estate Development Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in real estate from Florida State University.

Scott Workman (Pending Confirmation)

Workman is the Owner of Workman Transportation and Workman Travel, with over 25 years of experience in Orlando’s transportation industry. He attended the University of Iowa.

What Happens Next?

With Ron Peri and Bridget Ziegler’s terms ending on February 26, 2025, it is expected that two of the newly appointed members will replace them. If Peri or Ziegler are not reappointed, their seats will be filled by the new members once they receive Senate confirmation.

Updated Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board

Once confirmed, the new CFTOD Board of Supervisors will consist of:

• Alexis Yarbrough – Chair (Pending confirmation) – Term expires 2/26/27
• Charbel Barakat – Vice Chair – Term expires 2/26/27
• Brian Aungst, Jr. – Term expires 2/26/27
• Ron Peri – Term expires 2/26/25
• Bridget Ziegler – Term expires 2/26/25
• John Gilbert (Pending confirmation) – Term expires 2/26/27
• Scott Workman (Pending confirmation) – Term expires 2/26/27

A Quick Look at CFTOD’s History

The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) was established in 2023 as a replacement for the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which Disney controlled for over 50 years. The Reedy Creek Improvement District, created in 1967, allowed Disney to govern its own property by managing infrastructure, services, and land use.

In 2022, after Disney publicly opposed Florida’s Parental Rights in Education law, Governor DeSantis and state legislators moved to dissolve Reedy Creek. In early 2023, Florida lawmakers passed House Bill 9-B, officially replacing Reedy Creek with CFTOD. This legislation shifted control away from Disney, granting the governor the authority to appoint all board members.

Final Thoughts

The appointment of these new Disney Oversight Board members continues the state’s control over Disney’s special district, replacing members whose terms are set to expire. With Senate confirmation pending, these changes could influence how Disney operates within Central Florida moving forward. As the board’s leadership evolves, its impact on Disney’s business and development strategies will be closely watched.

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