Press Release
By Governor’s Press Office
12/13/24
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Joseph Battista and Nelson Caballero and the reappointment of Jeff Cross, Troy Stefano, and Burton “Tra” Williams III to the Commission for Independent Education.
Joseph Battista
Battista, of Heathrow, is the Vice President of Workforce, Career, and Professional Education at Valencia College. He currently serves as a member of the CareerSource Central Florida Board of Directors. Battista earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and his master’s degree in finance from St. Joseph’s University.
Nelson Caballero
Caballero, of Pinecrest, is the Vice President of the South Florida Institute of Technology. Previously, he was a Partner at Caballero, Fierman, Llerena & Garcia, LLP., and a Financial Accounting Instructor at Miami Dade College. Caballero earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida International University.
Jeff Cross
Cross, of Orlando, is the Online President and Senior Vice President of Operations for Herzing University. He previously served as the Regional President for Florida and President of the Orlando Campus of Herzing University and the Vice President of Admissions for West Coast University, Argosy University, and Ashford University. Cross earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University Fullerton and his master’s degree in business administration from Webster University.
Troy Stefano, Ph.D.
Stefano, of Wellington, is a Professor of Theological Studies at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, President and Founder of Health Copilot AI, Inc., and President of Stefano Consulting. Active in his community, he serves as a member of the American Catholic Philosophical Association, the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities, and the American Public Health Association. Stefano earned his bachelor’s degree in history from St. Thomas University, his master’s degree in theological studies from the University of Notre Dame, and his doctorate from the University of Notre Dame.
Burton “Tra” Williams III
Williams, of Lakewood Ranch, is the President and Owner of FleetForce Truck Driver Training. Active in his community, he is a member of the Manatee and Sarasota County Chambers of Commerce and the Florida Trucking Association. Williams earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
