Gov. DeSantis appoints Virginia ‘Ginger’ Watkins to the Bridge Authority

On Friday, Oct. 24, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Virginia “Ginger” Watkins to the board of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority. She had previously served as chair.

“This seat was left vacant last fall when Member Jon Reecher moved out of the area,” said Kathy Banson, executive director of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority. “We are delighted to welcome Ginger back and appreciate her willingness to continue to serve the community as a GIBA Board Member.”

Watkins earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of South Florida. Reecher was a former boardmember who was also general manager of The Gasparilla Inn.

Banson was informed this morning by the governor’s office that Watkins was appointed to fill that term, which is seat 4.

Watkins will be sworn in at the bridge’s Nov. 19 Quarterly Board Meeting. 

About the Bridge governance:

The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority was created as a local governmental body by State of Florida legislature in 1996. The governing body of GIBA consists of nine members acting as their Board of Supervisors. Five of these members are voting members who are elected by a plurality of the electors within the boundary of the Authority. The other four members that serve as nonvoting members, are appointed by the five elected members. Each member serves a term of 4 years. Upon the occasion of a vacancy for any reason in the term of office of a voting member of the governing body of the authority, a successor shall be appointed by the governor.