About the Secretary

Linda H. South

Linda H. South was appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Management Services by Governor Charlie Crist. The Department of Management Services provides administrative support for state agencies and state employees including insurance, human resource management, retirement, real estate development and management, purchasing, vehicle/aircraft services, property surplus and information technology services. The agency “serves those who serve Florida.”

Secretary South has extensive experience creating strategic turnarounds for organizations. She has a unique skill set, having worked in private, public and non-profit sectors. Throughout her career, Secretary South led organizations to improve their ability to serve customers by driving employee performance, developing a mission-driven focus and establishing performance measures that drive customer satisfaction.

Prior to serving as secretary, she was Director for the Agency for Workforce Innovation, the state’s workforce development and early childhood education agency. Before her public service with the workforce development industry, she was President of Pagosa Solutions, Inc., a consulting company with expertise in operations and public policy research in workforce development and board governance. Prior to that she was the Executive Director for the Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. and President of Dynamic Works, Institute, Inc. Secretary South launched her career as an investment broker with a major Wall Street firm for five years, and later owned and operated a retail automotive tire and service business and automotive machine shop. Secretary South has built solid relationships with professionals at all levels.

Secretary South earned a bachelor’s degree in Professional Administration from Barry University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. In 2001, she was presented with the prestigious Hammer Award from the National Partnership for Reinventing Government which recognizes government efficiency.

Secretary South is an active member of the Florida Trail Association and an avid scuba diver.