Lawson made chief regulator

Gov. Rick Scott made Ken Lawson the newest Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation today. Lawson replaces Charlie Liem, who was appointed by former Gov. Charlie Crist last year.

Lawson has held a number of public positions prior to taking on his latest assignment. Within the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Lawson served as an assistant secretary of enforcement; at the Transportation Security Administration, he spent time as an assistant chief counsel for field operations. He also spent seven years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the criminal division for the Middle District of Florida.

Scott's newest appointee claims private sector experience as well. Lawson worked for Booz Allen Hamilton as a consultant for two years, and most recently he served as a vice president for Nfinanse Inc., a Tampa-based financial services company.

As secretary, Lawson will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of businesses and professionals in Florida.