- April 19, 2024
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Six months after the death of County Commissioner Frank Meeker, Gov. Rick Scott has selected Meeker's successor on the commission: Gregory Hansen.
Hansen, 70, lives at 27 Coleridge Court in Palm Coast, and he said he is "humbled" by the appointment. Hansen was elected in 2016 to the Republican Executive Committee but has not held any other elected office.
Ever since he submitted his name to be considered for the County Commission opening, Hansen said, he has been keeping up to date with the local issues, including the beach erosion after Hurricane Matthew.
"I read all the stuff that’s published, as an outsider," Hansen said. "Now I’m going to be on the inside, and I look forward to that. I’m ready to go to work."
Hansen said he knows three other members of the commission well: Dave Sullivan, Charlie Ericksen and Nate McLaughlin, all of whom also serve on the REC.
Scott's appointment comes more than six months after Meeker died.
“Commissioner Frank Meeker was an incredible asset to the Palm Coast Community, and will be dearly missed by all," Scott said in a press release. "I am confident that Greg Hansen will work hard on behalf of the residents of Flagler County.”
Hansen is a retired captain in the U.S. Navy and previously served as the head appropriations committee liaison for the Office of the Navy Comptroller, and a commanding officer on the USS McClusky and the USS Antietam. He received his bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and his masters in financial management from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He considers budgeting to be his strength but that he also feels comfortable with other aspects of the job of being on the commission.
Hansen is appointed to the seat for a term beginning Jan. 13, 2017, and ending on Nov. 20, 2018. He said he is committed to running for re-election when the term is up.
In his application, Hansen listed Anne-Marie Shaffer, Janet McDonald and Violet Drexler as references. Hansen's brother-in-law, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, of Texas, also sent a letter of recommendation to the governor.
