(TALLAHASSE, FL) – On Thursday Governor Ron DeSantis nominated Palm Beach County Commissioner Dave Kerner as Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Commissioner Dave Kerner, who represents District 3, was nominated to become the executive director of the department. Kerner also previously served as County Mayor for Palm Beach County.

Kerner will serve as Interim Executive Director until his nomination is brought before the Cabinet for final approval at the January 17, 2023, Cabinet meeting.

Dave Kerner is taking over for Terry Rhodes who led the department since 2014.  DeSantis announced Rhodes’ departure via Twitter.

Thank you @FLHSMV Director Terry Rhodes for your years of service to Floridians. Her dedicated leadership and commitment to public service have made our roads safer for our state troopers and motorists who travel on them each day.

We wish her fair winds and following seas.

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) December 5, 2022

Governor DeSantis also announced his appointment of Michael Barnett to fill the vacancy on the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners created by Kerner’s appointment.