Jamal Sowell, former Florida Commerce secretary, named FAMU chief in-house lobbyist
Florida A&M University interim President Timothy Beard has tapped Jamal Sowell to be FAMU's new vice president of government relations – a hire that brings Beard closer to the end of his ongoing leadership restructuring initiative.
As such, he'll be the chief in-house lobbyist for FAMU, the only public HBCU (historically Black college or university) in Florida.
Sowell, a former Florida Secretary of Commerce who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis , replaces former director of governmental relations Danielle McBeth. She is no longer with the university after Beard asked the entire FAMU leadership team to resign in August – just days after starting his presidential role.
"Jamal Sowell brings a wealth of experience in Florida public policy and regulatory matters that will greatly benefit our FAMU leadership team," Beard said in a statement. "I look forward to working together to strengthen our relationships with policymakers to advance our strategic priorities and ensure that FAMU is represented in legislative developments affecting higher education, economic development and workforce integration."
Sowell joins FAMU as the senior leadership team's fourth confirmed new member in the past month.
It comes about two weeks after Alonda Thomas was appointed chief marketing and communications officer and FAMU's former longtime governmental relations director Tola Thompson was hired as the new chief of staff. Also, Angela Suggs was brought in as the new director of athletics.
Beard says he is currently trying to bring on a new general counsel and a vice president of university advancement. In a Sept. 24 interview, he told the Tallahassee Democrat he hopes to announce new appointments for those vacant positions in mid- to late October.
Related news: 'New leadership is essential': FAMU interim president Beard asks for resignations
Who is Jamal Sowell?
According to a press release from the university, Sowell – an Orlando native and a veteran who currently serves in the U.S. Navy Reserve – graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in religion.
He then received a master's degree in higher education administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a law degree from Indiana University Bloomington.
He is also currently a Hampton University doctoral student, and he joins FAMU from his previous position of serving as chief of staff for Port Tampa Bay since 2017. Prior to that, he worked as a special assistant to former UF President Bernie Machen.
"I am honored to serve FAMU and return to higher education where I started my career," Sowell said in a statement. "Interim President Beard has the experience and vision for a time such as this."
Sowell was CEO of Enterprise Florida, where he also had the title of Secretary of Commerce. He managed the state's 14 international trade offices and oversaw $250 million in assets. (Enterprise Florida recently returned to its old name of the Department of Commerce under a DeSantis-led restructuring.)
In addition, Sowell is a member of the Florida Council of 100 and has served as a division president of the national management consulting firm Indelible Solutions . The Jacksonville-based firm was co-founded by FAMU Board of Trustees member Michael White , who is currently its chief business development officer.
Although he is not a FAMU alumnus, he has strong ties to the school. He's been a monthly donor to the university for over a decade and established a FAMU scholarship in his father's name to financially support students from rural communities. His parents, James and Lutricia Sowell, met at FAMU and graduated in 1968.
His wife Karen Sowell is also a FAMU graduate – Class of 2007 – and was an educator at James S. Rickards High School for over a decade, earning the title of "Teacher of the Year."
"As the son of two Rattlers who met at FAMU, and the husband of a FAMU graduate, I cannot understate the important role that FAMU has played in my life and its historic impact on the state of Florida and the world," Sowell said.
As the new vice president of government relations, Sowell is responsible for leading the implementation of FAMU's government relations strategy while also conveying Beard's strategic vision at local, state and federal levels, according to the university.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on X: @tarahjean_ .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU names Jamal Sowell as vice president of government relations
