The Florida Sheriffs Association’s (FSA) Board of today Directors announced the selection of Matthew Dunagan to be the seventh Executive Director in the 131-year history of the association. He takes over on March 1, 2025, upon the retirement of the current FSA Executive Director Steve Casey.
Matthew spent the last decade as the FSA’s Deputy Executive Director of Operations where he was responsible for leading the operational efforts for the association, including coordinating training programs, task force operations, emergency management response as well as public safety programs across the state. In addition to these responsibilities, he led FSA’s legislative outreach initiatives.
In 2018, Matthew worked with the sheriffs to get Amendment 10 on the ballot to ensure all counties had an elected and independent sheriff. FSA ran a robust statewide educational campaign and Amendment 10 passed with 63% support. The positive results of passage of this constitutional amendment finally occurred in November when more than 1 million voters of Miami-Dade County got to directly elect their sheriff for the first time in more than 50 years.
“The Florida Sheriffs Association is proud to announce Matthew Dunagan as our next executive director,” FSA President Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “For over a decade, Matthew has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a steadfast commitment to public safety, working tirelessly to advance the mission of our association and the sheriffs we serve. As we prepare for this transition, I want to thank Steve Casey for his extraordinary service and leadership. We look forward to building on FSA’s 131-year legacy with Matthew at the helm, continuing our work to keep Florida safe and strong.”
Prior to joining the Florida Sheriffs Association, Matthew was the Chief Policy Analyst in the Prescription Drug and Special Projects Section for former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (2011-2014). He previously served in the Executive Office of the Governor as the Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement for the Office of Drug Control (2010) under the leadership of Director Bruce D. Grant. Matthew also served as executive staff in the Secretary’s Office for the Florida Department of Corrections during the tenure of James R. McDonough (2006-2008).
“I am grateful for the appointment to lead this historic association,” Dunagan said. “Florida sheriffs have been the guiding voice for public safety in our state Capitol, and I look forward to ensuring sheriffs continue to lead this great state with honor and integrity.”
Matthew has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration and public policy from Florida State University, where he was a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration and the Golden Key National Honor Society. He is also a graduate of the Florida Criminal Justice Executive Institute’s Chief Executive Seminar, Class 50.
