Florida Governor DeSantis Reappoints Two Members to Broward College Board of Trustees
Why It Matters
Florida’s Broward College Board of Trustees plays a direct role in shaping the academic direction and administrative priorities of one of the state’s largest public community colleges. The reappointments of two sitting trustees — subject to Florida Senate approval — extend the influence of Governor Ron DeSantis over the board’s composition as the 2026 legislative session moves forward.
What Happened
Governor Ron DeSantis’ office announced the reappointment of Zachariah “Reggie” Zachariah Jr. and Mario Zanotti-Cavazzoni to the Broward College Board of Trustees, the five-member panel that oversees the public institution. Both men were previously reappointed in 2023 and their latest reappointments are subject to Florida Senate confirmation.
Zachariah currently serves as the board’s Vice Chair and is a shareholder with the law firm Greenberg Traurig. DeSantis first appointed him to the board in early 2020. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Beyond his role on the board, Zachariah has served on the 17th Judicial Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission and holds membership in the American Bar Association. He is also a founding member of the American Heart Association’s Broward PULSE young professionals’ group. His father, cardiologist Zachariah P. Zachariah, is a prominent Republican fundraiser who has personally donated more than $72,000 to Florida candidates at the state level.
Zanotti-Cavazzoni was first appointed to the board in 2023. He currently serves as Senior Adviser of Organizational Transformation for CONMEBOL, the South American soccer governing body. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Latin America for telecommunications provider Millicom International. He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Universidad Católica de Asunción in Paraguay and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul.
By the Numbers
5 — Total members on the Broward College Board of Trustees, of which DeSantis has appointed or reappointed the majority.
2020 — Year DeSantis first appointed Zachariah to the board.
2023 — Year both trustees were last reappointed, and the year Zanotti-Cavazzoni was first appointed.
$72,000+ — Amount personally donated to Florida state-level candidates by Zachariah’s father, prominent GOP fundraiser Zachariah P. Zachariah.
Zoom Out
DeSantis has made higher education governance a consistent priority throughout his tenure, using appointment powers to shape the composition of college and university boards across the state. The trend reflects a broader national effort by Republican governors to reassert accountability and conservative governance principles within public higher education institutions.
The broader Broward College board reflects connections to Florida’s political and civic leadership. Chair Alexis Yarborough is married to Shane Strum, a former DeSantis Chief of Staff who now serves as dual CEO of Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System. Member Eileen LaMarca is the wife of Lighthouse Point Republican Rep. Chip LaMarca and was recognized among the Top 100 Outstanding Women of Broward County. Member Michael Caschette is the founder of pediatric urgent care business KIDS 1st Urgent Care and previously served as Director of Emergency Services at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
DeSantis has also been active in shaping Florida’s judiciary. Earlier this year, the governor promoted repeat appointee Andrew Bain to the circuit bench as part of a slate of 12 judicial picks, underscoring his administration’s continued focus on placing qualified conservatives throughout Florida’s public institutions.
What’s Next
The reappointments of Zachariah and Zanotti-Cavazzoni must clear the Florida Senate before becoming final. If confirmed, both trustees will continue their oversight roles at Broward College, one of Florida’s largest public community college systems. No timeline for a Senate confirmation vote has been publicly announced.
Florida political observers will also watch whether legislative efforts connected to other Broward board members — such as ongoing proposals to merge Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System, the dual employer of board Chair Yarborough’s husband — resurface in upcoming legislative sessions.