Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis continued to expand the Florida Blockchain Task Force on Thursday, naming Public Service Commissioner Ronald Brisé to it.
Patronis served with Brisé, a Democrat who is now a consultant with Gunster Law Firm, in the Florida House.
“With a depth of experience in business, government and the telecommunications industries, Ronald Brisé brings a wealth of knowledge to the Blockchain Task Force and will aid in our mission to further understand this technology for the improvement of our great state. It is critical that Florida works to constantly cultivate and embrace innovation and I look forward to the future success of this exciting new task force,” Patronis said.
“I’m honored to be appointed to Florida’s innovative new Blockchain Task Force and I thank CFO Patronis for the opportunity to research and recommend policies to make Florida a leader in Blockchain technology. I look forward to working with the CFO and my fellow task force members in providing insight into this emerging industry and its possible benefits to local and state government in Florida,” Brisé said.
Last month, Patronis showcased the fledgling Florida Blockchain Task Force and began his search to name three appointees to it.
The state CFO’s office laid out the responsibilities for the new task force.
“The task force will study if and how state, county, and municipal governments can benefit from a transition to a blockchain-based system for recordkeeping, data security, financial transactions, and service delivery and identify ways to improve government interaction with businesses and the public,” Patronis’ office noted. “The main focus of the task force is to identify the economic growth and development opportunities presented by blockchain technology. Appointees will assess the existing blockchain industry in the state and identify innovative and successful blockchain applications currently used by industry and other governments to determine viability for state level, as well as review workforce needs, and academic programs required to build blockchain technology expertise across all relevant industries.”
Patronis also weighed in on what the new task force will examine.
“I’m proud that the Blockchain Task Force is established within the Florida Department of Financial Services,” Patronis said. “We will work to explore and develop a master plan for fostering the expansion of blockchain in our state and innovation will keep us at the forefront of this growing technological industry.”
This week, Patronis also named Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, a Republican who was first elected to the Miami City Commission back in 2009 and moved up to his current post in 2017, to the task force.
