Edward “Eddy” C. Bouza II Appointed as Florida’s Chief Resilience Officer
In a pivotal move for Florida’s environmental strategy, Edward “Eddy” C. Bouza II has been named the state’s chief resilience officer. Bouza, renowned for his efforts in environmental resilience, will spearhead initiatives aimed at enhancing the state’s defenses against hurricanes and flooding through strategic cross-agency coordination.
The appointment has garnered widespread approval from environmental leaders and stakeholders who acknowledge Bouza’s significant contributions to Florida’s resilience efforts.
“Eddy Bouza has been a driving force in advancing Florida’s resilience strategy, helping communities better prepare for flooding and hurricanes. Through the Resilient Florida Program, he has positioned Florida as a national leader in resilience, and his appointment as chief resilience officer will further strengthen efforts to protect our environment, economy and communities,” stated Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert.
Florida’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Mark Rains, praised Bouza’s technical acumen and vision, emphasizing his pivotal role in Florida’s Comprehensive Statewide Flood Vulnerability and Sea Level Rise Assessment. “I look forward to continuing this important work with him to build a more resilient Florida,” Rains noted.
Dr. Tom Frazer from the University of South Florida highlighted Bouza’s extensive experience as a certified Floodplain Manager and director of the Resilient Florida Program. “The Florida Flood Hub has had a productive relationship with Eddy, and we look forward to further collaboration that increases Florida’s resilience and protects its people and their assets,” he said.
Greg Knecht, Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy in Florida, expressed enthusiasm for Bouza’s appointment, acknowledging his long-standing dedication to environmental resilience. “Eddy has been a champion for Florida’s environmental resilience for years, and so many of us have worked with him to protect our state’s natural resources,” Knecht added.
Kate Wesner, Florida Director of the American Flood Coalition, commended the Governor’s choice, stating, “This leadership role, paired with significant investments through the Resilient Florida Grant Program, positions the state to continue to lead on resilience and ensure communities are better prepared for the future.”
The Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, represented by President and CEO Jim McDuffie, applauded the ongoing efforts of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature. “The Governor’s appointment of Eddy Bouza to be the next chief resilience officer builds upon that commitment and secures Florida’s position as a leader in impactful resiliency response,” McDuffie remarked.
Dawn Shirreffs from the Environmental Defense Fund emphasized Bouza’s role in operationalizing nature-based resilience solutions. “As Florida’s Resilient Grant Trust enters its fifth year, Bouza’s leadership and experience will be essential to operationalize nature-based resilience solutions and scale critical efforts to protect Florida’s families and businesses from the risks of flooding and hurricanes,” she stated.
Jessica Beach, Chief Resilience Officer for the City of St. Augustine, expressed optimism about continued collaboration, saying, “We are very excited to welcome Eddy Bouza as the state of Florida’s next chief resilience officer. Having a state-appointed chief resilience officer is a testament to the state’s continued commitment to resilience.”
Pepper Uchino, President of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association, lauded Bouza’s leadership, noting, “As the next chief resilience officer, his commitment to long-term resilience planning will be instrumental to protecting our shores, communities and natural resources for generations.”
The Resilient Florida Program stands out as a comprehensive strategy to bolster Florida’s infrastructure against extreme weather. It emphasizes the importance of protecting vital infrastructures like transportation and emergency services while also investing in natural defense mechanisms such as wetland restoration and vegetative barriers, which play a crucial role in mitigating storm surge and flooding.
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