(Tallahassee, Fla.) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is excited to announce the recent addition of Samantha H. Padgett as General Counsel. Padgett joins FRLA’s stellar Governmental Relations team, currently led by Richard Turner, who will assume a new title as Senior Vice President of Legal and Legislative Affairs. Padgett will perform legal functions, provide legal advice and strengthen the association’s advocacy efforts at the state and local levels. Across the state, the FRLA represents and serves more than 10,000 independent and household name members, including theme parks and attractions.
“We’re extremely proud to have Samantha H. Padgett join our team. Padgett is a well-respected professional in Tallahassee circles and across the state. I’m confident her legal expertise and experience will enhance the Florida hospitality industry’s presence,“ said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the FRLA.
Previously, Padgett served for ten years as the Vice President and General Counsel of the Florida Retail Federation (FRF). Padgett is a member of The Florida Bar and received her J.D. degree cum laude from the University of Florida College of Law in 2005, and received her B.A. from Emory University in 2001. She also volunteers as a Board Member on the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, University of Florida Center for Retailing and the Florida Recycling Partnership.
Padgett will begin her role with FRLA in mid-January 2018 and be based at FRLA’s headquarters in Tallahassee.