Gov. DeSantis reappoints University of Florida Trustees amid presidential search controversy

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - As the University of Florida Board of Trustees faces criticism for their failed university president pick, Gov. Ron DeSantis is keeping two members on the board.

DeSantis announced on Monday that Morteza “Mori” Hosseini and Fred Ridley were reappointed to serve on the UF Board of Trustees.

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

RELATED:Ono rejection sparks debate as UF leaders scramble to find new president

The board is now in the process of restarting their presidential search after the Florida Board of Governors rejected their pick, Dr. Santa Ono, the first rejection in the board’s 22-year history.

Despite the failed vote, Hosseini, the board chair, defended the search committee’s selection of Ono in a meeting last week.

“Our Board of Trustees stands by the integrity of the search, the strength of the candidates it produced, and the principles that guided our work,” Hosseini stated. “This outcome is deeply disappointing to our board of trustees.”

“We believe Dr. Ono was uniquely qualified to lead this university at this moment.”

RELATED: ‘Unprecedented’: UF Board of Trustees chair defends president pick following Dr. Ono rejection

Hosseini is the CEO of ICI Homes. He currently serves as Chairman of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Board of Trustees, the Allstar Building Materials Board, and the Southern Title Family of Companies Board, and previously served as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the State University System and the Halifax Health Board of Commissioners.

Ridley is a Partner at Foley & Lardner, LLP. He currently serves as the Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. Ridley earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida.

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