Governor reappoints entrepreneur to governing board

SARASOTA — Gov. Ron DeSantis has reappointed Joel Schleicher to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board for a four-year term.

Schleicher represents Charlotte and Sarasota counties, according to a press release. He was recently elected secretary of the governing board. He will begin his one-year term as secretary at the July 23 governing board meeting, the release adds. 

For more than 30 years, Schleicher has led and founded technology companies selling enterprise solutions. He served as president, COO and a board member of Nextel Communications Inc. He also founded Presidio Networked Solutions in 2003, which grew to over $1.4 billion in revenue before being sold in 2011, the release states.  

"Schleicher has used his vast knowledge as a successful entrepreneur to challenge the status quo while giving back to the community via various organizations," the release states.  

Governing board members are unpaid, citizen volunteers appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. The governing board sets policy for the district, whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks and ensure the public’s water needs are met.