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Ocala
Thursday, March 28, 2024

DeSantis appoints four Ocala residents to College of Central Florida District Board of Trustees

On Friday, August 26, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Russell Branson, Fredrick Roberts Jr., Charlie Stone, and Dr. Michael Torres to the College of Central Florida District Board of Trustees.

Branson, of Ocala, is the President of SouthState Bank. He is a board member for AdventHealth Ocala Hospital, the Marion County Hospital District, and the Marion County Public Policy Institute, and he is also the Treasurer of the United Way of Marion County. Branson earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State University and his master’s degree in banking from Louisiana State University.

Roberts Jr., of Ocala, is a Partner and Attorney for Klein & Klein, LLC. He is a board member for Oak Hammock at the University of Florida and a member of the Marion County Bar Association. Roberts earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University.

Stone, of Ocala, is the President and Owner of Stone Petroleum Products, Inc. He was previously a House Member for the Florida House of Representatives from 2012-2020 and a Marion County Commissioner from 2004-2012. Stone is a member of the Chamber of Economic Partnership and the Marion County Roadbuilders Association, and he is the Past President of the Silver Springs Rotary Club.

Dr. Torres, of Ocala, is the Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of AdventHealth. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force. Dr. Torres earned a certificate in military leadership from Air War College, his master’s degree in business administration from Touro University International, and his Doctor of Medicine degree from Spartan Health Sciences University.

These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.