Things To Do In SW Florida

Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney are moving into a new chapter of a dramatic political story that captured the nation’s attention, one that could see better relations between the two.

Lawsuits have been settled, and now, both sides are striking a collaborative tone. A lot of money is at stake. Disney is planning to invest billions of dollars into its theme parks over the next decade.

Florida stands to benefit with new jobs, more tourists and huge economic investments. Disney needs to compete with Universal Studios’ fourth theme park Epic Universe opening in 2025. Working with Florida politicians will be key to success.

“[Disney] went sideways with politics, but when it comes to business, we should work together,” said GOP state Rep. Randy Fine, one of the most vocal Disney critics who sponsored legislation that ended the corporation’s control of the Disney World governing district. “I hope that is what happens now.”

Walt Disney World Resort President Jeff Vahle echoed a similar sentiment. He spoke of “constructive engagement” with Florida officials that would enable continued investment and thousands of new jobs. read more

Hospitality

Patricia George was appointed corporate director of e-commerce and marketing at Paramount Hospitality Management, Orlando.

Mya Williams was hired as corporate digital marketing specialist at Paramount Hospitality Management, Orlando.

Gary Rodriguez was appointed general manager at Avanti International Resort for Paramount Hospitality Management, Orlando.

Kerstin Glenn was promoted to dual property sales and catering manager at Paramount Hospitality Management, Orlando.

Transportation

Darren Engle was appointed chief operating officer at Orlando-based Stratos Jets.

David Borgerding was appointed chief financial officer at Orlando-based Stratos Jets.

Submit professional appointments, management-level promotions and significant awards for individuals, along with photos as .jpg attachments, to peopleonmove@orlandosentinel.com.

David Siegel, the colorful timeshare magnate and husband of the “Queen of Versailles,” has stepped down as CEO of Westgate Resorts, the timeshare company announced this week.

Longtime executive Jim Gissy became the new CEO earlier this month, with Siegel remaining as executive chairman of the board and president.

“I am humbled to take on this responsibility from my mentor and friend for over 40 years, David Siegel,” Gissy said in a statement.

Siegel, 88, had previously announced in 2015 that he was stepping back from the day-to-day operations of the Orlando-based Westgate Resorts to focus on becoming an advocate against opioid addiction in the wake of his daughter Victoria’s death from an overdose. As part of that focus, he created the Victoria’s Voice Foundation.

But the company’s statement said Siegel “will continue to lead all major decision-making of the company.”

“Jim has been my right hand and friend going back 40 years,” Siegel said in the statement. “Jim is an exceptional leader and I could not be happier to have him assume this role at my company. The future for Westgate is very bright!” read more

By MATTHEW BROWN (Associated Press)

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday restored rules to protect imperiled species and shield their habitat from destruction after the measures were rolled back under former President Donald Trump.

Among the changes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will reinstate a decades-old regulation that mandates blanket protections for animals and plants newly classified as threatened. That means officials won’t have to craft specific plans to shield each individual species while protections are pending, as has been done recently with North American wolverines in the Rocky Mountains, alligator snapping turtles in the Southeast and spotted owls in California.

The restoration of more protective regulations rankled Republicans who said the Endangered Species Act was being wielded too broadly and to the detriment of economic growth. Meanwhile, wildlife advocates were only partially satisfied, saying some potentially harmful changes under Trump were untouched. read more

Sitting in front of a wall of wine and flanked by enormous wine bottles, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Thursday that permits the retail sale of much larger bottles of wine in Florida.

The measure was sponsored by state Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, and DeSantis signed it into law at a Fort Lauderdale wine store in LaMarca’s district.

LaMarca also said it never made sense to him to “criminalize” the sale of wine simply based on container size, adding that people should have the right to buy wine in the size bottles they want.

And, he said, there was a personal element as well.

“This is an Italian American-owned business, an Italian American governor, an Italian American state representative,” LaMarca said. “Wine is a big part of our culture, whether it’s the Italian side or the American side.”

New law

Current state law prohibits sale of wine in an individual container that holds more than one gallon, which is about 3.8 liters.

(It allows wine sales in reusable containers of 5.16 gallons. The limit doesn’t apply to sales between distributors and manufacturers.) read more