Senate Ethics and Elections committee confirms multiple UWF trustees, rejects one controversial nominee

The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee on Thursday voted to confirm several nominees to the University of West Florida (UWF) Board of Trustees and related posts, accepted the resignation of a Pensacola State College appointee and voted down one trustee nominee after extended public comment and questioning.

The committee confirmed 127 nominees en bloc (tabs 1–54) and then took up individual nominations for UWF and Pensacola-area posts. Those individually confirmed included Paul Bailey, Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moya, Ashley Ross and Christopher Allen Young. The committee recorded a 4–5 vote against Adam Kissel, whose nomination drew substantial public testimony both for and against him. A separate appointee, Joel Rudman (Pensacola State College), resigned and was not considered.

The votes reshape the UWF board as the governor’s appointees move through the confirmation process and place an explicit spotlight on one nomination the committee rejected after public concerns about the nominee’s prior writings and policy positions.

Most important actions and outcomes

- The committee confirmed the 127 nominees listed en bloc (tabs 1–54) by roll call. Senators voting “yes” included Avila, Bradley, Collins, Garcia, Groll, Polsky, Roussaint, Vice Chair Bernard and Chair Gates. The motion to recommend confirmation was moved by Vice Chair Bernard and seconded (recorded). The committee forwarded those names to the full Senate.

- Joel Rudman, a governor’s appointee to the Pensacola State College board who had been invited to appear, informed the committee he declined to appear and subsequently resigned. Chair Gates read a text in which Rudman wrote he had resigned and would “continue to support [the governor’s] initiatives as a private citizen.” No action was taken on that vacancy.

- Paul Bailey, nominee to the UWF Board of Trustees (tab 55), answered committee questions about his background and ties to the Emerald Coast. Bailey said he supported bringing in “the best educators that we possibly can” to improve the university. The committee voted to recommend confirmation (roll call recorded; votes in favor included Avila, Bradley, Collins, Groll, Polsky, Roussaint, Vice Chair Bernard and Chair Gates).

- Rebecca Matthews (tab 58) and Rachel Moya (tab 59), both nominees to the UWF Board of Trustees, introduced themselves, described experience in higher education and fundraising, and discussed alignment with the Board of Governors and recent statewide directives. Both nominations were recommended by roll call and will be forwarded to the full Senate.

- Ashley Ross (tab 60) and Christopher Allen Young (tab 61) each addressed the committee about priorities including workforce development, military relations and regional growth. The committee recommended both for confirmation by roll call and will forward their names to the full Senate.

- Adam Kissel (tab 57) faced the most contentious session. Dozens of members of the public signed up to speak for and against his nomination. Supporters praised his experience with federal education programs, fundraising networks and free-speech advocacy. Opponents, including former UWF trustees and campus leaders, raised concerns about Kissel’s published views on higher education funding, questions about privatization, and statements they said cast doubt on his commitment to the university’s local mission.

The committee voted 4–5 not to recommend Kissel’s confirmation; senators voting yes included Avila, Collins, Garcia and Groll; senators voting no included Bradley, Polsky, Roussaint, Vice Chair Bernard and Chair Gates. By committee rule, Kissel’s nomination will not be forwarded to the full Senate.

Public testimony and points of debate

Public witnesses and former university leaders addressed the committee during the Kissel hearing. Ray Jones, identified as chair of the UWF foundation, urged support for nominees who understand the university and its community. Suzanne Lewis, former UWF board chair, urged careful review and expressed concern that new appointees have sufficient local knowledge and commitment. Dr. Judith Benz, UWF president emeritus, told the committee she was ‘‘worried that we can’t trust’’ Kissel on matters of funding and institutional direction.

Supporters of Kissel highlighted his federal experience and work on veterans, grant programs and higher-education policy. Anthony Verdugo of the Christian Family Coalition said Kissel’s background on free-speech and accountability issues would be an asset. Bill Maddox of the James Madison Institute described reforms and free-speech advocacy supporting the broader slate of nominees.

Committee members questioned nominees about academic freedom, faculty hiring, alignment with the Board of Governors’ strategic plan and engagement with military and veteran students. Several nominees emphasized local ties and military outreach: Paul Bailey described growing up on the Emerald Coast and interest in strengthening university–military relations; Christopher Young and others highlighted the region’s military installations and workforce needs.

What the committee decided and what comes next

- Confirmations that were recommended by the committee will be forwarded to the full Senate for final action. - Joel Rudman’s resignation leaves a Pensacola State College vacancy for the governor to fill. - Adam Kissel’s nomination failed a committee recommendation and will not advance unless reconsidered under Senate rules.

Quotes

"The nominees who have been listed en bloc are... confirmed, and their names will be forwarded to the full Senate," Chair Gates said after the roll call on the bulk confirmations.

"The only thing that I understand from what the governor's statements involved was bringing in the best educators that we possibly can," Paul Bailey said when asked about the governor’s aims for the UWF board.

"I take this role very seriously, and I want the committee to know I am deeply committed to serve as a trustee at UWF," Ashley Ross told the committee.

"I think the clear answer is the military," Christopher Allen Young said when asked where he saw UWF’s greatest opportunity.

"I want you to know that you can trust us at the University of West Florida to do the right thing for our constituents and our community," Dr. Judith Benz, UWF president emeritus, told senators during public testimony.

Ending

Committee business ended with the confirmed nominees’ names to be sent to the full Senate; one contested nominee was not recommended and will not proceed. The Ethics and Elections Committee’s actions leave the UWF board reshaped by several newly recommended trustees while a Pensacola State College vacancy remains after a resignation.

Votes at a glance

- En bloc (tabs 1–54, 127 nominees): Recommended; roll call yes — Senators Avila, Bradley, Collins, Garcia, Groll, Polsky, Roussaint, Vice Chair Bernard, Chair Gates (recorded by committee roll). Outcome: recommended and forwarded to full Senate.

- Tab 55 (Paul Bailey, UWF Board of Trustees): Recommended by roll call (Avila, Bradley, Collins, Groll, Polsky, Roussaint, Vice Chair Bernard, Chair Gates voting yes). Outcome: recommended/forwarded.

- Tab 58 (Rebecca Matthews, UWF Board of Trustees): Recommended by roll call (Avila, Bradley, Collins, Groll, Polsky, Roussaint, Vice Chair Bernard, Chair Gates voting yes). Outcome: recommended/forwarded.

- Tab 59 (Rachel Moya, UWF Board of Trustees): Recommended by roll call (Avila, Bradley, Collins, Garcia, Groll, Polsky, Roussaint, Vice Chair Bernard, Chair Gates voting yes). Outcome: recommended/forwarded.

- Tab 60 (Ashley Ross, UWF Board of Trustees): Recommended by roll call (Avila, Bradley, Collins, Garcia, Groll, Polsky, Roussaint, Vice Chair Bernard, Chair Gates voting yes). Outcome: recommended/forwarded.

- Tab 61 (Christopher Allen Young, UWF Board of Trustees): Recommended by roll call (Avila, Bradley, Collins, Garcia, Kroll, Polsky, Roussaint, Vice Chair Bernard, Chair Gates voting yes). Outcome: recommended/forwarded.

- Tab 57 (Adam Kissel, UWF Board of Trustees): NOT recommended (roll call: Yes — Avila, Collins, Garcia, Groll; No — Bradley, Polsky, Roussaint, Vice Chair Bernard, Chair Gates). Outcome: not recommended; will not be forwarded.

Provenance: all cited statements and vote tallies appear on the Ethics and Elections committee transcript for the session covering tabs 1–61.