Department of Economic Opportunity Chief Operating Officer Cynthia Lorenzo, who helped oversee the state’s effort to streamline unemployment, tourism, economic development and community affairs into a single agency, is stepping away from the job.
Lorenzo submitted her resignation Tuesday, claiming she plans to spend more time with her family.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in this position and in the variety of executive leadership positions over the past 15 years," Lorenzo wrote Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Hunting F. Deutsch.
"As I made the decision to resign, my focus was on the needs of my children. I truly cherish my responsibilities as a mother of two young boys. Over the years, it has been a tremendous challenge to maintain the delicate balance of career and family. I am looking forward to spending part of the summer off with them before returning to my career in the fall.
"I am eternally grateful to Governor Scott and his entire team for the opportunity to have served in his administration. I can assure you that I will continue to champion your success and the success of our governor."
Her resignation is effective July 6.
No immediately replacement has been named, a spokesman for the agency noted.
Lorenzo, who was the head of the Agency for Workforce Innovation prior to the merger, served as the DEO's interim director between the resignation of Doug Darling in January and Deutsch coming on board in April.
The department is an effort to streamline government by combining the Agency for Workforce Innovation, Department of Community Affairs and the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.
Before joining the Agency for Workforce Innovation, Lorenzo served at the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, beginning in 2005 as communications director and later as chief of staff and interim secretary. Previously, she served for seven years in the communications office of the Florida Department of Transportation.
