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Board selects Sam Bergiz as next Florida Virtual School president and CEO
Summary
The Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees voted to select Sam Bergiz as president and CEO, authorizing general counsel to negotiate an employment contract to take effect at the leadership transition; the board expects a proposed contract to return for approval at its next meeting.
The Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees voted to select Sam Bergiz as the next president and chief executive officer, authorizing general counsel to negotiate a proposed employment contract in consultation with the board chair.
The selection followed a public, multi‑stage search process that yielded more than 100 applicants and four semi‑finalists: David Bolan, Susan Lopez Valdez (who later withdrew), Rick Serny and Sam Bergiz. General counsel read a withdrawal letter from Susan Lopez Valdez into the record; the letter said she was withdrawing due to other professional opportunities and expressed continued support for FLVS.
Board members praised the search process and the pool of candidates, noting the organization’s recent trajectory and the need for continuity and thoughtful innovation after the retirement of the current CEO, Dr. Algay, at the end of June 2026. Trustees described the process as rigorous and public, with HR staff providing applicant materials and a scoring rubric to inform interviews and deliberations.
After discussion, a trustee moved to select Sam Bergiz and to authorize the general counsel to negotiate an employment contract; the motion received a second and was approved. The board asked that a proposed contract be returned for board consideration at the next convenient meeting (the board mentioned a May 12 workshop as a likely opportunity).
In brief remarks after the vote, Sam Bergiz said he was “humbled and honored,” thanked the trustees for their time and service, and emphasized partnership with the board and staff to continue serving students. General counsel described the next steps: prepare a draft employment contract, consult with the chair, and present the proposed agreement to the board for final approval; the transition contract would target a July 1 effective date to support continuity.
The board’s action was procedural and contractual only; no salary or contract terms were presented to the full board at the time of selection. The board will vote on any final contract at a later meeting.
