Governor names first alumnus trustee

FORT MYERS — Florida Gov. Rick Scott appointed Kevin Price and Kenneth Smith to the Florida Gulf Coast University board of trustees.

Price, 33, of Estero, is a sales leader with technology information and consulting firm Gartner. He earned his bachelor's degree from FGCU and will be the first alumnus to serve on the board of trustees.

The young state university in Fort Myers opened in 1997. It now has nearly 15,000 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs on an 800-acre campus near Southwest Florida International Airport.

Smith, 47, of Fort Myers, is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of agribusiness firm Alico and the owner of Integrated Beef Consultants. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from West Texas State University and his doctorate from Texas Tech University.

Both men's terms began Jan. 16 and will end Jan. 6, 2020. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.