State’s workforce chief will leave DeSantis administration at year’s end

Dane Eagle will leave his position as secretary of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity at the end of December, citing “responsibility to my growing family,” according to his resignation letter posted Tuesday on Twitter.

Eagle, often spotted alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis at press conferences, didn’t mention what his next move would be.

In his letter to DeSantis, he said his resignation will be effective Dec. 30 and touted DeSantis’ “Freedom First policies” as a “model for the nation.”

“I am deeply grateful for this opportunity,” Eagle wrote. “At this point in my life, however, my responsibility to my growing family is of the utmost importance.”

In a tweet Monday, Eagle said it has been an “honor of a lifetime,” adding: “Bittersweet but looking forward to the next chapter!”

The agency works on economic development and the unemployment system. Eagle had earlier announced that the state would assist victims of Hurricane Ian who had lost employment with disaster unemployment assistance, waiving the state’s work-search requirement, as previously reported by the Florida Phoenix.

“Additionally, we have responded to multiple disasters, including Hurricane Ian, which devastated my home community, and awarded over a billion dollars in long-term disaster recovery funds to homeowners and communities across Florida,” Eagle wrote.

According to his profile on CareerSource Florida, he is a former Republican member of the Florida House, representing Southwest Florida from 2012-2020. He served in leadership roles including chairman of the Energy and Utilities Subcommittee and Republican whip.

He’d served as deputy chief of staff to the governor of Florida from 2008-2009. Charlie Crist, Democratic gubernatorial candidate who lost the November election to DeSantis, served as governor as a Republican at the time.

DeSantis said in a Twitter post Monday:

“Thank you, Secretary @DaneEagle, for your outstanding service to Florida’s businesses and workforce. Under your leadership at @FLDEO, you helped to strengthen our communities and nation-leading economy. We wish you the best in your next endeavors.”

Christina Pushaw, former press secretary to DeSantis, said in a tweet Monday:

“Thank you for all you’ve done for the people of Florida @DaneEagle it was really great working with you. Wishing you all the best.”