The board that’s appointed by the governor to oversee the College of the Florida Keys appointed the governor’s deputy chief of staff as interim college president. The Oct. 14 appointment seemed to surprise everyone except the board members and Ochs, who lives in Tallahassee, but was prepared to begin work just five days later on Oct. 19.
The vote to appoint Ochs occurred at an Oct. 14 special meeting in Key West. Ochs was not present, and the agenda did not mention his name or the names of any other applicants or candidates for the presidency, although three others had submitted resumes.
The agenda listed “Chair’s update: interim president search and next steps; possible action on appointment of interim president/president and approval of contract terms (information and possible action). If action is taken, public comment will be taken before the board votes.”
No proposed contract for Ochs’ employment was attached to the agenda for public review, but board members were in possession of an employment contract, which they approved by a 6-1 vote.
Board member Eddie Kertis dissented, citing what he called “exorbitant compensation,” for Ochs, whose full pay package totals $322,000 per year. Kertis later said that he had been very impressed with Ochs when the two had met, and said his vote was not in any way opposed to Ochs becoming president, but rather the compensation given the size of CFK.
The package includes a $250,000 annual salary, a $50,000 annual housing allowance and $22,000 in car, travel and other allowances. The former college president, Jonathan Gueverra, who was fired by the board this summer, earned a total of $250,000 and donated $20,000 of it back to the school each year, college officials have said. He did not receive any housing allowance.
Board chair Alexandria Suarez opened the meeting by mentioning four applicants for the presidency, including longtime college leader Brittany Snyder, who was appointed acting president this summer following Gueverra’s firing. Snyder had applied for the presidency, along with former CFK employee Monekka Munroe and current professor Charles Goulding.
“And then we also have Jared Ochs, who has stated that he would be interested,” Suarez said, asking for recommendations.
Board member Peter E. Batty said, “I’ll make a motion that the trustees initiate and enter into a contract with Jared Ochs as our interim president, with the contract as presented.”
A discussion ensued about the contract that was drafted for Ochs and provided to the board, with some board members expressing concern that they might lose Ochs if they offered less compensation, although Kertis pointed out that the college’s offer was double Ochs’ current salary as a state employee. Board members also acknowledged Ochs’ lack of higher education leadership experience, with Michael Downer viewing it as a benefit,
“I think it would benefit the school if we could at least try an experiment and bring someone in who has a different skill set, an administrative skill set, to supplement what I think is a pretty strong academic skill set of the current staff,” Downer said. “And see if we can’t move the institution forward and address some some glaring holes. … I support Peter’s motion to consider Jared Ochs, who does not have a traditional academic background, but … he has lots of experience in state government with the board of education, the governor’s office, the business office, and I think if anybody could help us with … repairing our relationship with Tallahassee, giving us a better shot at the allocations, I think it’s him.”
The college announced Ochs’ appointment in a press release issued after the Oct. 14 meeting.
“‘On behalf of the District Board of Trustees, I am pleased to welcome Jared Ochs to the College of the Florida Keys. His extensive experience in state government, public policy and higher education will be valuable as the college continues to advance its mission and serve the needs of the Florida Keys. The board is grateful to Dr. Brittany Snyder for her leadership during this transition,’ said Alexandria Suarez, chair of CFK’s board of trustees.”
The release continued, “Ochs has held senior leadership roles in Florida state government, both in the governor’s office and at various agencies. Before joining the governor’s executive office, Ochs served as chief of staff at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and as deputy chief of staff in the Office of the Secretary at the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
“He also held several key roles at the Florida Department of Education, the agency that oversees Florida’s public K-12 schools and 28 state colleges, including CFK. He served as director of communications and external affairs, as assistant deputy chancellor of public schools, and as director of legislative affairs in the office of the commissioner.
“‘I am humbled and honored by the board’s decision to entrust me to lead the college in its next chapter,’ said Ochs. ‘I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and students to build on the college’s strengths, support student success and expand our role as an essential resource for Monroe County.’”
Ochs holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Florida, a master’s in political science from the University at Buffalo, and a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from the State University of New York at Fredonia.
Ochs could not be reached for comment, but the college workers said the school will likely hold receptions to introduce him.
