After Stepping Down as District Administrator, Glen Gilzean Quietly Signed a Consulting Deal With the CFTOD
When Glen Gilzean left the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District (CFTOD) earlier this year to take a job as Orange County’s supervisor of elections, the move seemed like a strange one.
For one thing, Gilzean was leaving a $400,000-a-year job for a position with an annual salary of $205,000.
Additionally, GIlzean was seen by many as the mouthpiece of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and one of the many lieutenants who was leading the governor’s battle against Disney.
Photo: Jim Carchidi/Orlando Business Journal
Three months later, now that the dust has settled, everything has fallen into place.
Gilzean Was Replaced By the Disney-Friendly Stephanie Kopelousos
First, Gilzean was replaced by another DeSantis ally, Stephanie Kopelousos. Interestingly, the new CFTOD administrator was seen as Disney-friendly.
Photo: Florida Voice
Subsequently, Disney and Florida agreed to set aside their differences. The reconstituted CFTOD is now moving ahead with a massive development plan for Walt Disney World, while Disney has agreed to accept the dissolution of Reedy Creek and pause its federal First Amendment lawsuit.
A Quiet Agreement
Today, the final piece of the puzzle fell into place when it was revealed that Gilzean had quietly signed a consulting agreement with the CFTOD that pays him $20,000 a month. The contract runs through December of this year and will obviously help Gilzean make up the difference in lost salary.
When news of Gilzean’s consulting deal broke, State Sen. Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) said that she had concerns about Gilzean holding both positions at the same time.
Photo: CFTOD
“I think he should concentrate on one job and do it well and not have two jobs,” she told the Orlando Sentinel. “He should relinquish that contract. There is an election coming up, and he needs to concentrate on that.”
The CFTOD Defends the Arrangement
Gilzean did not respond to the Sentinel’s request for comment. The CFTOD, however, defended the agreements.
Photo: WESH
“With his experience and understanding of our organization, Mr. Gilzean provides valuable knowledge that will aid in a successful transition,” direct spokesman Matthew Thomas Oberly said.
“To date, Mr. Gilzean has provided valuable insight regarding outstanding projects to Administrator Kopelousos. Per standard practice, consulting agreements do not go before the board.”
Photo: Fox News
Charbel Barakat, who is the acting chairman for the district’s board, said that he was aware of the agreement but that it did not require a vote.
“We wanted to make sure there was no disruption. … This is in a lot of ways one of the most complex local governments in the state,” he said. “There are a lot of moving pieces.”
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