Described by her peers as a self-made success story, Florida’s first female Secretary of Commerce Laura DiBella, is now a Government Affairs Advisor for Adams and Reese. DiBella will be involved in the law firm’s Intersection of Business and Government (IBG) Practice.
DiBella’s who’s who background also includes being the former Florida Commerce President of Business Development and Enterprise Florida President/CEO.
“Laura epitomizes economic development in Florida and is one of the most well-connected, forward-thinking, and knowledgeable business ambassadors in our state,” said Herschel Vinyard, a leading IBG Partner at Adams and Reese and Jacksonville’s Partner in Charge.
DiBella‘s experience in economic development and government relations strategy will be crucial for the firm lobbying for clients. DiBella has worked on all levels, at the legislative and executive branches, with knowledge of state and local government processes.
Under her tenure as the President/CEO of Enterprise Florida, DiBella oversaw a $21.8 million budget. DiBella was key in bringing investments and jobs to the sunshine state conducting trade missions to Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Israel, United Kingdom, and South America during her tenure as Secretary. Her contributions elevated Florida to the 14th largest economy in the world and fastest growing economy by GDP, at $1.6 trillion.
DiBella’s other ventures included being President of the Florida Opportunity Fund (Florida’s Venture Capital arm). Executive Director of Florida Harbor Pilots Association; Port Director of Port of Fernandina Ocean Highway and Port Authority; and Executive Director of Nassau County Economic Development Board. She has also been a Florida licensed real estate broker for over 20 years.
Laura serves as Chair of the Aerospace Alliance; Vice Chair of the FDOT Freight Advisory Committee; former Vice Chair of Florida State College at Jacksonville District Board of Trustees (appointed by Governor Scott, reappointed by Governor DeSantis); former Vice Chair of Florida Ocean Alliance Board of Directors; former Co-Chair of the Florida Economic Development Council Florida 2030 Task Force; U.S. Constitution Scholarship Foundation Advisory Committee member; MARAD America’s Marine Highway Advisory Panel member; FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC) member; and volunteer as a certified guardian in Florida’s 2nd Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program.
The DeSantis administration has praised DiBella for bolstering out of state businesses to come to Florida and technological advancements in the aerospace and defense industries, and global positioning in relation to Latin America.
