Shawn Hamilton, head of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, has announced his departure to join the private sector, as detailed in an email to agency employees obtained by the Tampa Bay Times. Hamilton, who held the position for over three years, expressed in his message that serving as the department’s secretary was a significant honor in his career. He assured staff he was collaborating closely with Governor Ron DeSantis’ office to ensure a smooth transition to his successor, Alexis Lambert.
Lambert, the incoming head of the department, has served as chief of staff for the state’s Division of Bond Finance since 2018. Her appointment was officially announced by the governor’s office, noting her background and long-standing experience in Florida’s government. A graduate of Mercer University, Lambert studied communications, media studies, sociology, and art, and began working in state government in 2006. Her prior roles include positions with the Department of Children and Families, as well as work with former Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater. Recently, she held the role of chief of staff at the Department of Health, where she liaised with the environmental agency she will now lead.
Hamilton’s resignation follows controversy involving the Department of Environmental Protection’s recent land use decisions, including proposals to develop several state parks with hotels, golf courses, and pickleball courts, as well as a land swap deal with a golf course developer involving protected state forest land. Despite this, it remains uncertain if the controversies influenced his decision to step down. Lambert, who is also the daughter of the late Pete Antonacci, a notable Florida political figure, will step into her new role following Hamilton’s exit.