Governor DeSantis Appoints Simone Marstiller, Brent Johnson to Children’s Services Board

The Leon County Children’s Services Council (CSC) has two new members: Atty Simone Marstiller and accountant Brent Johnson.

Govt. Ron DeSantis appointed the two to the CSC, which finances the county’s children’s services through property tax revenues.

Both will serve four-year terms.

Marstiller is an advisor at Gunster Yoakley Stewart PA law firm, where he advises clients on how best to work with governments to achieve their business objectives.

DeSantis previously appointed her as secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). she he left the post in November 2022.

She also served as Secretary of the Department of Professional and Business Regulation, Acting Secretary of the Department of Management Services and Chief State Information Officer under former Govt. Jeb Bushfor which he also worked as Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant General Counsel.

Other roles Marstiller has held include deputy associate attorney general under the former attorney general Bill McCollumand executive director of the Florida Election Commission, general counsel for the Department of Management Services and chief appellate counsel for the AHCA.

Before joining Gunster, Marstiller served for six years as a judge on the 1st District Court of Appeals — a position for which former Gov. Charlie Crist called her.

Marstiller was born in Monrovia, Liberia, and grew up in St. Petersburg. She earned her juris doctorate in 1996 and a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1988 from Stetson University in Gulfport.

She is a member of the board of directors of Guardian ad Litem Foundationwhich supports and funds the court representation of abused, abandoned and neglected children.

And she’s obviously not a fan peanut butter flavored whiskey.

Johnson served as executive director of Radey Law Firm since May 2015. Prior to that, he was a Senior Manager of North Highland Consulting and a staff auditor for the Florida Auditor General.

He also served as Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Institute of CPAs from 2007 to 2010, a group he is still a member of along with the national organization.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida State University in 1982.

Approved by Leon County voters in 2020CSC of Leon County was established to provide children with early learning and reading skills, development, treatment, preventive treatment and other services.

It is a special independent district that provides funding for these services throughout the county through the annual levy of property taxes, not to exceed the maximum millage rate of one-half mill.

The board of directors of the organization consists of 10 members. Other members include the County Commissioner Carolyn Cummingsinspector Leon County Rocky Hannamember of the School Council Darryl JonesJudge of the 2nd Court Anthony MillerDesignated Department of Children and Families Terrence Watts and designate DeSantis Zandra Mallory Glenn, Richard ‘Paul’ Mitchell and George “Mark” O’Bryant.

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