DEP DIVISION OF STATE LANDS ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 16, 2012

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP DIVISION OF STATE LANDS ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR

~Susan Grandin brings to the Department nearly 30 years of experience in land protection~

TALLAHASSEE The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is pleased to announce that Susan Grandin will serve as director of the Division of State Lands beginning Dec. 3.

“Susan brings extensive knowledge in negotiating land acquisitions from private landowners and the conveyance of that land to governmental agencies and other environmental non-profit organizations,” said Deputy Secretary for Land and Recreation, Al Dougherty.

Grandin joins the Department after serving as President of The Preservation Law Group, Inc. The group specializes in the preservation and protection of military installations and civilian airfields. Prior to that, Grandin served as Director of the Jacksonville Office of The Trust for Public Land. She also has experience in environmental and land use law, serving as Assistant General Counsel for the City of Jacksonville.

Eric Draper, Executive Director of Audubon Florida called the decision “an excellent choice.”

“Susan was a capable and hardworking leader of the TPL’s effort to acquire parkland and has a rare gift for being able to work with landowners, conservation stakeholders and local governments," he said. "We expect the best from Susan in her new role.”

Janet Bowman, Director of Legislative Policy and Strategies at The Nature Conservancy, also endorses the selection.

“Her experience in acquiring land under the Florida Forever Program uniquely qualifies her for this position," she said. "We look forward to working with her to enhance land and water resource protection in Florida.”

As required by Florida Statute, Susan’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Governor and Cabinet sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. That meeting is scheduled for Dec. 11.

Along with Susan’s selection as Director of the Division of State Lands, current Director of Cabinet Affairs Karl Rasmussen will be taking on the additional role of Assistant Director of State Lands. Rick Mercer recently joined the Department overseeing business-related services as the Land and Recreation Director of Operations.