The state's new Chief Financial Officer made a tour of several cities Monday after his appointment to the post by Gov. Rick Scott.
Jimmy Patronis will replace outgoing CFO Jeff Atwater, who is leaving office on Friday. The Panama City restaurant owner served eight years in the Florida House of Representatives before being appointed by Scott to the state's Public Service Commission.
"I know that he understands business, because he's been in business through his family business all of his life," Scott said during an appearance at Aero Simulation, Inc. in Tampa. "He understands the impact taxes have, regulations have. He's served in the Legislature, so he's dealt with a lot of issues there. I've watched him focus on doing the right thing there. What I can tell you about Jimmy Petronis is he'll always try to do the right thing."
When asked if he would run for election for the elected CFO position when it's up next year, Patronis declined, instead saying there would be plenty of time to talk about that later. Now, he said his focus is on getting up to speed on his new job. He'll first meet with Atwater to hear about the financial issues the state is facing.
"I'm going to sit down starting tomorrow, with a face-to-face orientation with CFO Atwater, making sure I'm sitting down to hear both sides of the issues pressing before the CFO's office," he said.
