Pictured Above: Will Weatherford was named to the board in late January.
Courtesy of Weatherford Capital
By Sophie Ojdanic
Will Weatherford, one of the newest members of the USF Board of Trustees, was elected vice chair in a meeting today.
Weatherford, a former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, was appointed to the board in late January by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The vice chair serves a two-year term along with the chair, and acts in the absence or disability of the chairman.
Trustee Mike Griffin nominated Weatherford.
“Will Weatherford brings a depth of experience in real readiness to our board,” Griffin said.
Weatherford now runs Weatherford Capital, a private investment firm he cofounded in 2015.
Griffin praised Weatherford for his work in the state House.
“Will was a champion there,” Griffin said. “(He) fought against very draconian cuts upwards of 60 percent to (the university’s) budget.”
Weatherford helped champion the downtown USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute and helped secure initial funding for the 13-story building. Weatherford received the President’s Fellow Medallion from then-USF President Judy Genshaft in 2019.
Chairman Jordan Zimmerman said the trustees were “honored” to be working with Weatherford.
“You’re always fair, equitable, you operate with the highest integrity, and it will be an honor to serve with you,” Zimmerman said.
Weatherford, who was in his first board meeting as a trustee, said he was honored and “thrilled” to be nominated.
“I don’t think there’s a more exciting place to be on any university campus than the University of South Florida,” Weatherford said. “… I won’t take (the vice chair position) lightly. I know there’s a lot of work to do. I’m excited to work with the president and with all of you to continue to move the university forward … and I’m grateful for the faith and the trust that you put in me.”
