Board of Governors reelects Brian Lamb as chair, elects Alan Levine for vice chair

The Florida Board of Governors has unanimously reelected Brian Lamb as chairman for another two-year term while Alan Levine was elected as vice chair.

The reelection means Lamb will be serving in his second term as chair of the board — a rare instance, given that members usually serve for one term in the position at a time.

“I think you’ve been inclusive — not just of the board members but the presidents and the chairs of the boards of trustees,” Levine told Lamb during the Nov. 9 meeting at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, ahead of his own nomination.

“You’ve been a heck of a representative for us, so I’m grateful for your last two years,” he added.

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Lamb, managing director and Northeast segment head for JPMorgan Chase, has been on the board since March 2019 after being appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

He was later named vice chair under Syd Kitson and officially succeeded Kitson as chair in January 2022 after being elected in 2021.

During Lamb’s time of leading the state university system, Florida has continued to hold the national recognition of being ranked No. 1 in the country for higher education, according to the U.S. News & World Report.

Lamb also oversees the university system under a cloud of controversy related to the new diversity, equity and inclusion law that dismantles DEI-related programs from public colleges and universities as well as regulations that have affected the faculty tenure review process.

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Following Levine’s recommendation, board member Eric Silagy recommended board member Charlie Lydecker for the chair position, saying that he knows the “stress and strain” Lamb endures as chairman.

“I think it’s important to consider having folks come in who have an opportunity to bring their own style and their own fingerprint and imprint on the board,” Silagy said.

But Lydecker declined the nomination and instead acknowledged Lamb’s positive impact while serving as chair. With Lamb as the only nominee, the unanimous vote was followed by a standing ovation.

“Traditionally, the role is passed on to someone else — most of the time, to the vice chair,” said Tallahassee Community College Board of Trustees member Eugene Lamb, who is also Brian’s father. “But they didn’t want him to leave. My wife and I are so proud of him.”

In addition, Levine’s election as vice chair after being nominated by board member Jose Oliva, a former Florida House speaker, means he replaces Silagy, who served in the role for two years and has been on the board since 2019.

Levine, chairman and CEO of the integrated health system Ballad Health, has served on the board since 2017.

“I don’t think there’s a more passionate person on the Board of Governors, and it shines through in all that he does and says,” board member Aubrey Edge said, referring to Levine.

Although Silagy will no longer serve in the vice chair position, Lamb told him that his service, friendship and leadership “has not gone unnoticed.”

“You've done an outstanding job as my colleague and my right hand," Lamb told Silagy during the meeting. "Thank you for everything that you've done to challenge us and push me."

Both Lamb and Levine will serve in their positions for a term beginning this Jan. 1 and ending Dec. 31, 2025.

Contact Tarah Jean at [email protected] or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida higher education board again picks Brian Lamb for chair