TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, VISIT FLORIDA is excited to announce that Ken Lawson, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO, has been named to the 2018 EBONY Power 100. The EBONY Power 100, compiled by the editors of EBONY magazine, honors the work, accomplishments and influence of African American leaders in various sectors. Listed as "Power Player," Lawson is honored for his guidance of the state's official tourism marketing corporation as Florida continues to break visitation records.

Ken Lawson, VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO, said, "I am extremely honored to receive this recognition from EBONY and thrilled to be included on this distinguished list of innovators and visionaries. I am blessed to lead VISIT FLORIDA, a team of talented and hardworking employees. I thank Governor Rick Scott and the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors for their support and for allowing me to serve. Together with our more than 12,000 industry partners across the state, we have had many successes over the past two years. As VISIT FLORIDA President and CEO, to be recognized for some of our organizations accomplishments is a great honor. I thank EBONY for the recognition."

Unanimously appointed president and CEO by the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors in January 2017, Lawson has helped the organization advance the state's number one industry and grow Florida's economy. A few of the VISIT FLORIDA accomplishments during Lawson's tenure include implementing a new trade show program; developing and executing aggressive, multi-phased campaigns following natural and man-made occurrences; and retooling international marketing strategy to be more nimble. As Florida continues to set visitation records, Lawson ensures the marketing corporation provides the best possible return on investment as it markets the state in a transparent, accountable, and efficient manner.

Lino Maldonado, Vice President of Operations, Growth, and Innovation for Wyndham Vacation Rentals North America and Chair of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, said, "Ken Lawson's leadership over the past two years has elevated the efforts of VISIT FLORIDA and strengthened our state's share of the global travel market. His work promoting tourism has been instrumental in the continued growth of the state's economy and employment opportunities, positively impacting the more than 1.4 million Floridians working in our industry. This is a truly prestigious honor and he deserves this recognition for his work."

Lawson, a native Floridian and former U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate General, has served in numerous leadership positions for several private sector companies and government agencies where he balanced the needs of the private sector while protecting public resources. Most recently, he served as Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for six years where he led a team of 1,600 employees who successfully regulated more than one million businesses and professions across Florida. In addition, Lawson serves on several boards and committees for organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Leadership Florida, U.S. Travel Association, Florida Blue Key, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the North Carolina Outward Bound School.