Glen Gilzean Says Morale Is Up Since DeSantis Took Over Reedy Creek
Despite reports that a large segment of the special district’s employees have left, Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) administrator Glen Gilzean says that morale has never been higher.
Six months into his tenure leading the DeSantis-appointed district, Gilzean says the CFTOD has boosted employee “well-being and work-life balance.”
Photo: Jim Carchidi/Orlando Business Journal
“The morale in the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has … increased as my open-door policy continues to be utilized by staff members who have met with me directly,” Gilzean said at the district’s board meeting. “Some staff have shared that this is the first time they’ve actually had a chance to meet with the district administration.”
Photo: The Wall Street Journal
Gilzean also revealed that district employees received Veterans Day off as a paid holiday and will get an extra day off for Thanksgiving.
The Facts Don’t Support Gilzean
Despite the CFTOD’s rosy picture, the hard facts tell another story.
More than 40 of the district’s 370 employees have left the CFTOD since it was taken over by DeSantis in February. That amounts to 10% of the district workforce.
Photo: CFTOD
Gilzean’s management of the district came under fire in exit interviews, with one ex-employee saying “workplace culture has been destroyed,” while another claimed the special district’s legacy was being “destroyed.”
In recent months, the district has found itself in hot water time and time again. District employees publically lashed out at board members for stripping them of their Disney-related benefits.
Photo: Fox Business
Gilzean himself has also been scrutinized for a no-bid contract that the district gave to Freddie Figgers, and for continuing to hold a place in the Florida Ethics Commission while serving as district administrator.
Despite this, Gilzean says that CFTOD has been a marked improvement over the former Reedy Creek Improvement District.
“We have achieved significant and historic progress for taxpayers and those who visit the district,” he said.
Photo: The Business Journal
Gilzean and the CFTOD can say what they want. From a PR standpoint at least, their tenure has been an abject disaster.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon! Also, thanks for reading!
