Drew Wilson

Florencia, Gainesville, Orlando, Tallahassee

VP @Fla_Pol. Former @FloridaMuseum, @UFHealth, @UFCST, @UF_IFAS, @Lobbytools, @THR, @TheAlligator. @UFJSchool alum🐊! I 💕 cats, tats and useless facts.

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Articles

House, Senate aligned on SLERS funding

4 days ago | floridapolitics.com | Drew Wilson

While the House and Senate have been fighting over the budget for weeks, it appears the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System was not a reason for the holdup. The initial round of offers for the AEG and State Administration budget silo show the Senate and House in lockstep on funding for the program, which has been a sticking point in past budgets. SLERS is a digital radio network that provides voice communication services to state law enforcement officers.
Senate wants $3.5M for new state IT agency

4 days ago | floridapolitics.com | Drew Wilson

The Senate is directing $3.5 million into a new Cabinet-level agency aimed at modernizing and centralizing how the state manages its technology systems for most executive branch agencies. ASSET — an acronym for Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology — would absorb and replace most non-operational functions from the Florida Digital Service, which will be dissolved by June 30, 2026.
Personnel note: FAIA taps Greg Thomas for Director of Professional Development

4 days ago | floridapolitics.com | Drew Wilson

The Florida Association of Insurance Agents has named Greg Thomas as Director of Professional Development, effective June 2. The newly established position is focused on expanding education and training opportunities for independent insurance agents throughout the state. “Education has always been one of the foundational pillars of our association,” said Kyle Ulrich, President and CEO of FAIA.
Personnel note: Rusty Roberts goes back to Washington

5 days ago | floridapolitics.com | Drew Wilson

Rusty Roberts is joining the Donald Trump administration as Senior Policy Advisor at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Roberts served for 18 years as Chief of Staff for former House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair and U.S. Rep. John Mica. He also served as Chief of Staff for former U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami and was South Florida Director for former U.S. Sen. Paula Hawkins.
Chamber summit: Amid controversy, Casey DeSantis pitches Hope Florida to business community

1 week ago | floridapolitics.com | Drew Wilson

Though Hope Florida remains at the center of a high-profile scandal, First Lady Casey DeSantis said it’s lifted thousands of Floridians out of poverty and could help thousands more with help from Florida’s business community. Hope Florida is the charity currently under scrutiny for its role in funneling $10 million to political committees that fought against the 2024 ballot amendments to legalize recreational pot and restore abortion rights, both of which failed. Gov.
Personnel note: Jay Galbraith launches Tranquility Insight

1 week ago | floridapolitics.com | Drew Wilson

The new operation, Tranquility Insight, will specialize in crisis communications prevention and management, government affairs strategy, organizational planning and executive coaching. Galbraith most recently served as the CEO of Bridg, supporting Osceola County’s efforts to expand the semiconductor industry in Central Florida, and has a wealth of experience in government affairs, crisis management and institutional advancement across the corporate, nonprofit and public-private sectors.
Converge Public Strategies expands to D.C. with new Federal Affairs Practice

1 week ago | floridapolitics.com | Drew Wilson

Bipartisan national public affairs firm Converge Public Strategies is expanding into Washington with the launch of a Federal Affairs Practice Group. “Since founding Converge, we’ve focused on smart, sustained growth and never forced a federal presence until the moment was right,” said Converge Chair Jonathan Kilman. “That moment has arrived.
Rubin Turnbull collects $3.5M in first quarter

1 week ago | floridapolitics.com | Drew Wilson

Rubin, Turnbull & Associates approached cracked the $3 million mark in the first quarter, earning the No. 4 spot in Florida Politics’ lobby firm rankings. The firm led by Bill Rubin and Heather Turnbull filed reports showing it earned at least $1 million lobbying the Legislature and another $1 million lobbying the executive branch. That is the top bracket for firm-level ranges, meaning Rubin Turnbull & Associates likely earned more.
Lobbying compensation: GrayRobinson finishes Q1 with a Top 5 haul

1 week ago | floridapolitics.com | Drew Wilson

GrayRobinson collected an estimated $3.5 million in the opening quarter of 2025, earning the No. 5 spot on Florida Politics’ quarterly lobby firm rankings. The firm led by Dean Cannon represented well over 200 clients in Q1. The reports show median earnings of $1.89 million in the Legislature across 238 contracts and $1.61 million in the executive across 242 contracts. Florida Politics ranks lobbying firm earnings based on the middle number of the per-client ranges listed on compensation reports.
Mary Clare Hubbard to take over as Governor’s Legislative Affairs Director

1 week ago | floridapolitics.com | Drew Wilson

The DeSantis administration will enter June with a new Legislative Affairs Director. In a Tuesday email to staff, current Legislative Affairs Director Peter Cuderman said he would be leaving the Executive Office of the Governor on Friday, closing the book on a three-year run in the administration. “It’s been a privilege to witness firsthand the dedication you bring to your work and to the constituents you represent,” Cuderman wrote.