R. Jai Gillum Appointed to Florida Commission on the Status of Women by CFO Sink
TALLAHASSEE – Florida CFO Alex Sink today announced her appointment of R. Jai Gillum to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women. Gillum, who began her term on January 1, 2010 and will serve until December 31, 2013, is 31 years old and the youngest woman currently on the commission. She joins other CFO appointees Shellie Sachs Levin and Monica Russo.
“I feel that it is important to have a diverse commission capable of representing the many different women of Florida,” said CFO Sink. “As a young African-American professional who has shown a great level of compassion and service to her community, I believe R. Jai will be an excellent addition to this important group.” “I am honored by my appointment to the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and thank CFO Sink for this opportunity,” said Gillum. “I look forward to offering a fresh perspective to best serve the women of Florida.”
Gillum is the Director of Appointments for the Office of Boards, Commissions and Residual Markets for CFO Sink, and also serves as Staff Director to the Financial Literacy Council and a liaison to the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation.
In addition, Gillum has numerous civic involvements, and her leadership roles in the community include serving on the boards of the Friends of the Leon County Public Library, the Brokaw-McDougall House, the National Selective Service System, Leadership Tallahassee, and the Junior League. She is also Chair of the BEST Project Leadership Team for the United Way of the Big Bend.
Gillum holds a Master of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science from Florida A & M University. She lives in Tallahassee with her husband, Tallahassee City Commissioner Andrew Gillum.
The Florida Commission on the Status of Women is a non-partisan group dedicated to empowering women. The Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of Senate and the Attorney General appoint four members and the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Agriculture each appoint three members for a term of four years. Appointees make recommendations to the Governor, Cabinet and Legislature on issues affecting women in an annual report.
As a statewide elected officer of the Florida Cabinet, CFO Alex Sink oversees the Department of Financial Services. A successful businesswoman with nearly three decades of experience in the private sector, Sink is serving her first term as Florida’s CFO. As CFO, Sink’s priorities include using her business experience to cut wasteful government spending, cracking down on financial and insurance fraud and reforming the state government’s contracting practices. Sink also serves as the State Fire Marshal.