Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday appointed John M. Martinez, vice president of Gardnyr Michael Capital Inc., as an interim Orange County commissioner.
Martinez, 30, of Orlando, joined Gardnyr Michael earlier this year as an investment banker responsible for business development and the structure of municipal transactions, according to a company release. He is the son of former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Orlando.
Martinez was an associate attorney with Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor and Reed PA from 2006 to 2010. He has a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a law degree from the Florida State University College of Law.
“I am confident he will bring the highest levels of integrity and ethics to the commission,” Scott said.
Martinez is filling a vacancy created by the resignation of former county commissioner Mildred Fernandez. His term began Monday and ends Nov. 19, 2012.
Fernandez resigned from office Nov. 16 after pleading no contest to unlawful compensation for official acts and accepting a campaign contribution of more than $5,000, in exchange for charges of bribery and racketeering being dropped.
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said she supported Martinez’s appointment because he agreed not to seek election when the commission seat comes up for a full term in late 2012.
Martinez holds the Series 7, 24, 53 and 63 securities licenses, and is a member of the Florida Bar, Gardnyr Michael said.
The regional investment banking firm is based in Winter Park, near Orlando. It also has offices in Birmingham, Ala., Mobile, Ala., Flagler Beach, Fla., and Baton Rouge, La.
