Matt DiMaggio
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences named Matt DiMaggio as the new Director of the UF Tropical Agriculture Lab. DiMaggio started his new position April 1. He was an associate professor of fisheries and aquatic sciences in UF/IFAS School of Forests, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences.
In his new role, DiMaggio will be leading a team of four other faculty members, support staff and graduate students. While planning to expand the programs outreach, he is still focusing on ornamental fish production.
Jody Swanson
With the number of startups making Greater Gainesville their home, Jody Swanson is taking advantage of the opportunity and offering her expertise. She just started her new company, Swanson HR Solutions, LLC where she develops HR strategies, talent acquisition and ensuring compliance with local and federal policies.
Swanson earned her bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance from the University of Florida. She has also served as an Executive Board Member for her alma mater since 2017. She brings over 20 years’ worth of HR experience to her HR consulting firm.
Aricia Heise
A change in leadership at the Rock School has Aricia Heise set to become the new Head of School. In the school’s 35 years, Heise will only be the third Head of School to step up to the plate. Heise has been with the Rock since 2000, as a high school history teacher before being the first Admissions Director and then the K-12 Principal.
During her time as principal, Heise expanded the academic programs including the current transition to an authorized IB World School. She will begin her new position July 1 for the 2023-2024 school year.
Paul and Kristin Privette
Following the retirement of Keith Watson, longtime friends Paul and Kristin Privette have become the new owners of Keith Watson Events. For over a decade, the Privette’s at Footstone Photography have worked with Watson events as vendors and go-to photographers. Keith Watson will still be a part of the team, working remotely for clients that specifically request him.
By Harper Warner.