Central Florida Tourism Oversight District appoints Stephanie Kopelousos as its new administrator

Mar 27, 2024 in "Reedy Creek Improvement District"

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CFTOD board meeting March 27 2024

Posted: Wednesday March 27, 2024 9:49am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Stephanie Kopelousos has been appointed by the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District as the new administrator.

CFTOD board meeting March 27 2024

The board unanimously approved a motion to make Kopelousos the district administrator with immediate effect and under the same terms and conditions as former administrator Glen Gilzean. The job comes with a $400k salary.

Stephanie Kopelousos

Stephanie Kopelousos, with a background in public policy and transportation, played a pivotal role in Governor Ron DeSantis' administration as the Director of Legislative Affairs. Her responsibilities involved fostering relationships with state legislators and conveying the governor's policy positions. She also served as FDOT Secretary, and Kopelousos transitioned to DeSantis's failed presidential campaign team in 2024.

Craig Mateer, appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just yesterday, was also present at today's CFTOD board meeting.

CFTOD now has its second new leader in less than a year

Earlier this month, DeSantis appointed the existing CFTOD administrator Glen Gilzean as Supervisor of Elections in Orange County, filling the vacancy left by former supervisor Bill Cowles' retirement in January. Gilzean will head the Elections Office as the state prepares for the 2024 presidential election.

CFTOD Administrator Glen Gilzean

The DeSantis-controlled Central Florida Tourism Oversight District replaced Disney's Reedy Creek Improvement District in June 2023.

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castlecake2.021 hours ago

Yes

Stripes21 hours ago

Has Disney/CFTOD continued to replace the purple direction signage with the new blue color scheme since CFTOD took over?

mkt1 day ago

You're right. The new document will be different. It will be "different" in the way that Chris Gaines was "different" from Garth Brooks or how the drummer from Nirvana is "different" from the singer of the Foo Fighters.

Unbanshee1 day ago

Both are effectively picked by the Governor, just not technically. Look no further than the communications "strategy" with the replacement of Gilzean of the Governor's office getting out ahead of every single step of the process

lazyboy97o1 day ago

The settlement acknowledged the “need” to change the comprehensive plan, which undermines this idea. So too does the lack of an agreement, as the 2032 Comprehensive Plan wasn’t that different than the again in force 2020 Comprehensive Plan.

Brian1 day ago

That's understandable for sure. I just felt inclined to make the distinction due to the ongoing conversation, as the district administrator is selected by the board, while the board is selected by the governor.

mkt1 day ago

The new agreement will be functionally the same as the one Disney was sued over.

pdude811 day ago

You're right. This has been going on so long I just lumped all the antagonists together.

Brian1 day ago

Not to nitpick, but Gilzean was district administrator, not a board member.

pdude811 day ago

A bigger risk than keeping Garcia and Gilzean on the board as active disruptors? I don't agree with their decision to stall the federal lawsuit, but I understand why they saw the status quo as a risk to growth over the next few years.

lazyboy97o1 day ago

You don’t think dropping your bargaining power in the middle is the best strategy in a negotiation?

flynnibus1 day ago

Again… we know nothing except both sides have shown signs of positive attitude and certainty of successful outcomes. What does that mean? None if us know. All we can speculate is… they know a lot more than they have said publicly… and obvious things like "desantis is not perpetual…" were clearly obvious to them when they made these choices.

UNCgolf1 day ago

That seems wildly optimistic.

flynnibus1 day ago

“Right now…” Yes, we all know this. But again, we don’t know what back room deal they have setup. Who knows… it could even include new legislation promises… Or Disney is just rolling with the hand they are dealt… maybe they have accepted that the time to sunset their advantages of rcid is here… none of us can tell what their true intentions are right now.