Marva Johnson supporters Deveron Gibbons, Michael White to lead FAMU board of Trustees
On top of Florida A&M University having Marva Johnson as the new president at its helm, the university's Board of Trustees is also moving into a new era with a newly elected chair and vice chair – both of whom have strongly supported Johnson during what was a disputatious presidential search.
While former FAMU board vice chair Deveron Gibbons has been voted the board's new chair, replacing trustee Kristin Harper , trustee Michael White was elected vice chair.
"Titles are temporary, but character is forever," Harper, who has served as chair since 2023, said during the board's Sept. 18 meeting in the Grand Ballroom on campus as she gave her last report in the role. As she remains on the board, her term ends in January.
A FAMU alumna, Harper graduated with both her bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from the university and is the founder and CEO of Driven to Succeed LLC, a global market research and consulting firm that provides Fortune 500 companies with brand strategy consulting and leadership training.
"My title as chair is ending, but my service at FAMU never will because FAMU must forever remain a catalyst of access and opportunity for our bold, brilliant students and Rattlers yet unborn," Harper said.
Other FAMU news: FAMU Board of Trustees approves 15% out-of-state tuition increase for fall 2026
The vote comes after Gibbons and White were the only trustees to be nominated for the chair and vice chair roles at a previous meeting, all while they were among board members being targeted for backing up Johnson as several university stakeholders opposed her candidacy.
Gibbons – who was appointed by the Florida Board of Governors in 2023 – is a consultant for Amscot Financial and a retired senior vice president of the company. He also currently serves on St. Petersburg College's Board of Trustees, and Bethune-Cookman University's board as its parliamentarian.
As a FAMU alumnus, he earned both his master's degree in business administration and his juris doctorate degree from the university. Before attending FAMU, he graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's in political science in 1995 and the University of South Florida with his first master's in public administration in 2007.
Gibbons also recently chaired FAMU's presidential search committee, where there was widespread speculation that he insisted on adding Johnson to what was initially a list of three final candidates that committee members interviewed and voted on during closed sessions. He has repeatedly denied crossing the ethical line during the contentious process, which he said was "well run."
While Gibbons and Harper – who strongly opposed the presidential search process that led to Johnson's selection – have not always seen eye to eye, Gibbons said their contradicting views had some benefits.
"I think a lot of people take my passion as 'I don't care for them' or 'I don't want to do what they want to do,'" Gibbons said. "But I was taught to go 100% in everything you think is right."
"Because we disagreed," he went on to say, speaking to Harper, "it makes it better for the students because they hear both sides. And I appreciate that about you – you're always inclusive, and you always try to figure out what the right angle is with the right temperament."
While sharing kind words about Harper – saying that she served with "integrity, principle and character at all times" –Gibbons also presented her with a bouquet of red roses, an honorary gavel and a plaque to acknowledge her service.
"I certainly did not expect this but definitely appreciate it," Harper told Gibbons. "Congratulations to both of you. As you take on these new roles, my hope is that your leadership to this board... earns the confidence of those we represent."
With White taking on the role of vice chair, it comes after he joined the university's board in 2023 as a DeSantis appointment. Also a FAMU alumnus, he earned his bachelor's degree in accounting from the School of Business and Industry in 2013.
In addition, White is the co-founder and chief business development officer of Indelible Solutions , a Jacksonville-based management consulting company that provides services to private and public sector organizations across the country. Before his role at the consulting firm, he worked for the Florida Department of Education and the Department of Financial Services as a professional account specialist.
"As we continue to move forward, I promise to serve with integrity and dignity while also making sure that the FAMU brand stays strong," White said.
(This story was updated to say that Deveron Gibbons currently serves on St. Petersburg College's Board of Trustees.)
Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com . Follow her on X: @tarahjean_ .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Board of Trustees taps Deveron Gibbons, Michael White as chairs
