Enterprise Florida Announces Jamal Sowell as CEO

The Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) Board of Directors unanimously voted to approve Jamal Sowell as the new President and CEO of Enterprise Florida. Sowell will also serve as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce.

Governor-Elect DeSantis said, “I am proud that Jamal Sowell has been confirmed by the Board of Directors to serve as EFI’s new President & CEO. Jamal has the economic development experience to help grow Florida’s economy and bring more jobs to our state. As a Veteran, he also understands the importance of protecting our military bases and missions to maintain our reputation as the most military-friendly state in the nation. I know Jamal will continue to use our state’s economic development tools to make Florida the leader in business location, relocation and expansion.”

“Thank you to Governor-Elect DeSantis and the EFI Board of Directors for your confidence and giving me the opportunity to serve the state of Florida,” said Jamal Sowell, President & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. “I am excited to work with the EFI Board, team and partners across the state to continue to create jobs and opportunities for Florida families.”

Sowell most recently served as the Chief of Staff at Port Tampa Bay, where he was responsible for coordinating the operations of the President and CEO’s office. In addition to working at Port Tampa Bay, Sowell previously served as the special assistant to the University of Florida (UF) President and assistant corporate secretary to the UF Board of Trustees. He has also served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, a Master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and holds his law degree from theIndiana University Bloomington Maurer School of Law where he was a Pat Tillman Scholar. 

Joe York, Vice Chairman of the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors said, “I am confident that Jamal will be a great leader at EFI and I look forward to working with him as we continue to promote Florida as the number one destination for business.”

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention; small business growth through international trade and exporting programs; promotion and protection of Florida's military bases; promotion of sporting events; and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.