Congratulations Graduates!

Eric Hall, Ed.D., was raised in Pasco County, Florida and has more than two decades of experience serving in executive leadership, with extensive expertise in the fields of education, public safety and public policy. He currently serves as the sixth president of Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC). Appointed by the PHSC District Board of Trustees, Hall assumed the office on a permanent basis in mid-June 2025. A proud alumnus of the college, he is notably the first to lead his alma mater.

Prior to his appointment at PHSC, he served as the secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, where he was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in November 2021. Hall was also the state’s first senior chancellor at the Florida Department of Education (FDOE), where he oversaw multiple divisions, including the Florida College System. Before joining FDOE, he served as deputy state superintendent at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where he successfully led multiple divisions and initiatives within North Carolina’s education system. 

Throughout his career, Hall has built strong partnerships and impactful relationships with state and local leaders in both the public and private sectors. He is a lifelong educator and holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary science education, a master’s degree in educational leadership, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of South Florida. He serves on several boards and councils including the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet, CareerSource Florida Board of Directors, Special Olympics Florida and the Pasco County Economic Development Council, among others. He is the son of two public school teachers. His wife is a school social worker and together they have two children.

Wilton Simpson, Florida’s 13th Commissioner of Agriculture, is a fifth-generation Floridian, lifelong Florida farmer and entrepreneur. As commissioner, Simpson oversees the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) focused on strengthening Florida agriculture, defending constitutional freedoms, supporting rural communities and protecting consumers.

From 2012-2022, Simpson served in the Florida Senate and was Senate President for the 2020-2022 term. During the pandemic, he led the legislature to pass balanced budgets, reduce state debt and build substantial state reserves. Throughout his tenure, he was a staunch advocate for Florida agriculture, securing historic funding and crucial protections.

A defining hallmark of Wilton Simpson’s life is his commitment to philanthropy and service. In Hernando and Pasco counties, he is recognized for expanding health care access and educational opportunities. Notable contributions include the Simpson Breast Health Center, the “W. E. Simpson Concourse for Cures” at Moffitt Cancer Center and the creation of Wilton Simpson Technical College.

Beyond health care and education, Simpson remains an advocate for veterans, rural communities and families in need. He has supported wounded veterans, food banks, youth agricultural programs, scholarship initiatives and disaster recovery efforts.

Wilton Simpson lives in Pasco County with his wife, Kathy. Among his many accomplishments, his most treasured title is “Papa” to his two granddaughters, Addy and Emy.