TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Robert Salonen and the reappointments of Sophia Eccleston, Patsy Sanchez and Emmanuel Tormes to the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors.
Sophia Eccleston
Eccleston, of Wellington, is an external affairs manager with Florida Power and Light. Previously, she worked for Halliburton and KBR Inc., in the Middle East and Africa. Eccleston is an Army veteran who also serves as a commissioner on the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. She has volunteered her time with the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation, Florida Women’s Business Center and the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. Eccleston earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Armstrong Atlantic State University and her master of business administration from American Intercontinental University.
Robert Salonen
Salonen, of Melbourne, is the Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at the Florida Institute of Technology. Previously, he was Director of Business Development for the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. Salonen is a member of the Civilian Military Community Relations Council of the Space Coast and serves on the board of Circles of Care. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Connecticut and master of public administration from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Emmanuel Tormes
Tormes, of Oviedo, is Senior Manager of Government Operations at The Boeing Company. His previous work experience includes time with the State of Florida, Orange County Mayor’s office and Seminole County government. Tormes volunteers his time with the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce, Florida Defense Contractors Association and the U.S. Global Leadership Council Florida Advisory Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida.
Patsy Sanchez
Sanchez, of Tallahassee, is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of South Florida. She also serves on the University of South Florida’s Latin Community Advisory Committee, Leadership Alliance Advisory Board and as a member of the Hispanic Leaders Association. Born in Cuba, her family opposed the Castro regime and fled to the United States where Sanchez learned English and began her schooling. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of South Florida.
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ABOUT CAREERSOURCE FLORIDA
CareerSource Florida, with its business-led board of directors, provides policy direction for talent development programs administered by the Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida’s 24 local workforce development boards and their 100 career centers. The CareerSource Florida State Board serves as the Governor’s principal workforce policy and investment board, working in partnership with DEO, which is responsible for the state workforce system’s fiscal and administrative affairs, and local workforce development boards that serve Florida’s businesses and career seekers. Together, the CareerSource Florida network connects employers with qualified, skilled talent and Floridians with employment and career development opportunities to achieve economic prosperity. Learn more at careersourceflorida.com.