The Everglades Foundation’s chief executive officer, Kirk Fordham, is leaving the Miami-based nonprofit to take a job as executive director of the Gill Action Fund, a leading gay rights advocacy organization.

Fordham has been with the Everglades Foundation for four years, leading state and federal efforts to maintain funding for Everglades restoration. Fordham’s announcement comes a day after state House and Senate budget-writers agreed to steer $30 million in restoration this year, $10 million less than what Gov. Rick Scott is seeking for continuing the long-delayed clean-up.

“Making the decision to move was not easy.  I enjoy every day of my work at the Everglades Foundation – which employs an enormously talented staff and a growing list of supporters across Florida and the nation,” said Fordham, who will stay with the foundation until mid-April.

Gill Action is Denver-based. Founded by Tim Gill, a computer software entrepreneur, the organization has helped lead anti-discrimination legislation in several states while also helping finance LGBT candidates in state and federal races.

Fordham had served 14 years as a chief of staff and senior legislative advisor on Capitol Hill, working for three members of Congress, including former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley of Lake Worth. Fordham also was finance director for former U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez.

 

 

Tags: Everglades Foundation, Gill Action, Kirk Fordham, Tim Gill

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 1st, 2012 at 5:06 pm and is filed under 2012 campaigns, environment, Everglades, Republicans, state budget. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.