NEWS: Gov. DeSantis Appoints Two New Members to Disney World District Board

By Brian Delpozo Leave a Comment

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has added two members to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD): Matt Ravenscroft and David Woods.

©Governor Ron DeSantis Website

The duo marks the governor’s latest appointees to the board, which he essentially created in 2023 as a renamed replacement for the Reedy Creek Improvement District as part of a political battle with Disney stemming from culture war issues.

Ravenscroft and Woods bring varied experiences to their new board positions. Ravenscroft is the Executive Vice President and Director of Sunrise Bank in Orlando. Previously, he served as a Senior Vice President of Old Florida Bank, United Heritage Bank, and Citrus Bank. Ravenscroft attended the University of Central Florida and earned his associate’s degree from Valencia College.

Woods is an attorney at Woods & Woods, P.A., working in real estate, wills, trusts, and estates. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies from Florida State University and his juris doctor from St. Thomas University.

©Central Florida Tourism Oversight District

According to the board, which is currently led by DeSantis’ former Senior Advisor and the Director of Legislative Affairs Stephanie Kopelousos, its purpose is to “support and administer certain aspects of the economic development and tourism within District boundaries.”

This includes the responsibility of overseeing “land use and environmental protections within the District, and provide essential public services (e.g. fire protection, emergency medical services, potable water production, treatment, storage, pumping & distribution, reclaimed water distribution, chilled water systems, wastewater services, drainage and flood control, electric power generation & distribution, and solid waste and recyclables collection & disposal) and operate and maintain all public roadways & bridges.”

Driving to Disney World

Ron DeSantis has appointed two new members to the Florida Tourism Oversight District, which oversees the special district where Disney World resides. Stay tuned to DFB for more on Florida politics impacting Walt Disney World.

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