Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed William “Will” Weatherford to serve a five-year term on the University of South Florida Board of Trustees.
Weatherford, of Wesley Chapel, is a managing partner of Weatherford Capital and former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. He is a member of the Florida Council of 100, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville University Board of Trustees and serves as co-chairman of the Super Bowl LV Host Committee. Weatherford earned his bachelor’s degree in international business from Jacksonville University. His appointment is subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
“We are delighted to welcome Will Weatherford to the University of South Florida Board of Trustees,” USF President Steven C. Currall said. “In recent years Will has played an important role in advancing USF, notably through his support of the new Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute facility while serving as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. Will is a leader in our community and a true advocate for the Tampa Bay region and we’re honored to have him serve as a trustee.”
“Will Weatherford brings to our board a wide range of experience and a track record of success that will make a significant impact on the University of South Florida’s future,” USF Board of Trustees Chair Jordan Zimmerman said. “The relationships he has built through his commitment to serving the Tampa Bay region and our state in so many different ways will further enhance opportunities for USF students, faculty and staff.”
Weatherford was appointed to the seat on the board previously held by Byron Shinn, whose term expired. Shinn, a graduate of USF and past recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Alumni, was also chair of the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Advisory Board.
“We are grateful to Byron Shinn for his deep commitment to the University of South Florida through his roles on the Board of Trustees and Campus Advisory Board over the past decade,” Currall said. “He is an unwavering proponent for growing USF’s impact in the Sarasota-Manatee area and throughout the Tampa Bay region and we look forward to his continued support in the future.”
The USF Board of Trustees is comprised of 13 members, six of whom are appointed by the Florida governor and five appointed by the Florida Board of Governors and confirmed by the Florida Senate for a term of five years. The elected USF Faculty Senate president and USF Student Government president also serve as trustees.