AIF announces new CEO

TALLAHASSEE — Associated Industries of Florida has named Tom Feeney its new president and CEO.

Feeney will lead the non-profit, pro-business lobbying organization starting Jan. 1. His duties will include managing the day-to-day operations of AIF, and he “will work closely with elected officials and policymakers to further cultivate a pro-business climate in Florida,” a release from the group says.

Feeney brings state and federal legislative experience to the position. He served as a U.S. representative for Florida from 2002 to 2008. During that time, he was a member of committees on space and aviation, financial services, judiciary and a subcommittee on intellectual property. Prior to that, Feeney served on the Florida House of Representatives and was speaker of the Florida House in 2000. He was also former Gov. Jeb Bush's running mate in his first race for governor in 1994.

Feeney replaces Barney Bishop, who in August announced he would step down from AIF at the end of the year. Bishop has led the organization since 2005. He has since started a government consultancy called Barney Bishop Consulting LLC.

“Representative Feeney is highly respected, both as an elected official and as a Florida businessman,” says Erika Alba, chairwoman of the AIF Board of Directors. “He is a proven leader and will be a tremendous asset to the association. Having dedicated much of the last 20 years to public service, Tom knows what it takes to be effective in the halls of the Florida capitol and on Capitol Hill.”