University of West Florida Board of Trustees welcomes eight new trustees

The University of West Florida has received eight new appointments for the institution's Board of Trustees. The Florida Board of Governors appointed Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moya and Ashley Ross to the UWF Board of Trustees at a meeting on Dec. 19, 2024. The board also welcomes Paul Bailey, Gates Garcia, Adam Kissel, Scott Yenor and Chris Young, following their appointments by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Jan. 6.

"The experience and wealth of knowledge these new members will bring make them excellent additions to the UWF Board of Trustees," said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. "We appreciate the hard work of our current board and look forward to working with the newest trustees."

Matthews is vice president of Automated Health Systems in Tallahassee, a national health management services company. She has worked within the insurance industry and health management services sector, as well as in State Government and associations. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Florida State University.

Moya is the chief revenue officer for education data and technology company, The Amos Group. She holds 20 years of corporate and education experience. Moya received her bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of South Carolina, a master's degree from American Military University and doctorate in public policy and administration from Walden University.

Ross is the president of Ross Consulting LLC and is a political consultant with a specialty in campaign finance. She has nearly two decades of high-level political and public affairs experience, including serving as a top advisor to several Senate Presidents, candidates for statewide office, and members of legislative leadership. She received her undergraduate and MBA from Florida State University.

Bailey is an attorney for Welton Law Firm in Crestview. He serves as an adjunct professor at Pensacola Christian College and is a registered instructor with the National Rifle Association. Bailey earned his bachelor's degree in pre-law from Pensacola Christian College and his Juris Doctor from Regent University.

Garcia is the president and CEO at Pinehill Capital Partners in Tampa. He serves on The Catholic University of America Busch School of Business Board of Visitors. He was the recipient of the 2024 Richard and Jacqueline Lincoln Fellow for The Claremont Institute. Garcia earned his bachelor's degree in media studies from The Catholic University of America and his master's degree in business administration from the University of Florida.

Kissel is a visiting fellow on Higher Education Reform for The Heritage Foundation, a senior fellow for the Cardinal Institute for West Virginia Policy, and a visiting scholar for the Texas Public Policy Foundation. He previously served as the deputy assistant secretary for Higher Education Programs with the United States Department of Education. He currently serves as the chair of the West Virginia Professional Charter School Board and is a member of the Civics, History, & America's Future Advisory Council for America250. Kissel earned his bachelor's degree in English and American literature and language and his master's degree from the University of Chicago.

Yenor is the chairperson of The Ambrose School Board, a professor of political science at Boise State University, an honored visiting graduate Faculty at Ashland University, and a Washington Fellow at The Claremont Institute's Center for the American Way of Life. His research focuses on feminism, sexual liberation, and on dismantling the rule of social justice in America's universities. He previously served as a visiting fellow on American Political Thought for The Heritage Foundation and a Fellow for the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. Yenor earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and his doctorate degree in political science from Loyola University.

Young is a founder and senior partner at Perry & Young Law Firm in Northwest Florida, chief operating officer for Adcock Bros, Inc. and is owner and President of Adcock Transport and Adcock Direct. He has served the Chipola Appreciation Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the ARC of the Bay. He currently serves on the Ascension Bay Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors and is active in other local charities and civic groups. Young earned his associate degree from Chipola College and his Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University.

The UWF Board of Trustees is the 13-member governing body for the institution. The Governor of Florida appoints six of the members, who serve five-year terms, and the Board of Governors appoints five of the members, who also serve five-year terms, with the president of the Faculty Senate and the president of the Student Government Association filling the remaining two seats. All appointments must be approved by the Senate.

For more information on UWF's Board of Trustees, visit uwf.edu/trustees.