TAMPA, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the appointment of Jim Poppell as secretary of the Florida Lottery. Poppell will assume the role of secretary beginning July 10th. Secretary Tom Delacenserie left the Florida Lottery on June 2nd to pursue a new position in Kentucky. David Mica, who has served as chief of staff since 2016, has been the interim secretary at Florida Lottery.

Governor Scott said, “During his time at DEO, Jim has helped provide Florida families and businesses with the support they need to succeed. I am confident that Jim will continue the Lottery’s focus on fighting for students and achieving record sales to invest in our education system. I look forward to working with him to further support Florida students.”

Jim Poppell currently serves as Chief of Staff at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and previously served as DEO’s General Counsel. He has also held leadership positions at NextEra Energy, Inc. from 2008-2010 and Florida Power & Light Company from 2006-2008. Poppell also previously served as a minister for 21 years. Poppell received his bachelor’s degree from Eckerd College, his master’s degree from Spring Arbor University and his law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.