Greetings, Capital Tiger Bay Members and Guests,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our January 9 Capital Tiger Bay luncheon. We were delighted to kick off the 2026 season with such strong attendance and thoughtful engagement.
We extend our sincere thanks to our moderator, the Honorable Terry Lewis, for bringing the humor, balance, and sharp insight that define Capital Tiger Bay at its best, as well as to our panelists, Andy Bolin and Dana Brooks, for their thoughtful and substantive participation representing two perspectives on a complex issue.
ICYMI, recent coverage related to this year’s legislation:
- House again passes repeal of Florida’s ‘free kill’ law
- Fetal personhood, ‘free kill,’ sovereign immunity, and phosphates: It’s tort day in the House
Thank you to all who joined us for a timely, informative, and engaging conversation on an issue with real-world consequences — and in true Tiger Bay style.
Looking Ahead:
We hope you’ll join us for 2 upcoming Education Capital Tiger Bay programs in March:
Save the Date – March 16 – Leon County School Board Member Alva Smith
Save the Date – March 31 – RESCHEDULE – Florida Department of Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas
Thank you again for being part of the Capital Tiger Bay community. We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming luncheon.
Monday, March 16, 2026
Capital Tiger Bay Club Hosts
Leon County School Board Member
Alva Smith
Join the Capital Tiger Bay Club on Monday, March 16, as we welcome Leon County School Board
Member Alva Smith for a timely conversation on education issues impacting our community at the local
level.
A former classroom educator and longtime local education leader, Ms. Smith will share insights drawn
from years of experience serving students, families, and educators in Leon County. She will discuss how
education policy decisions made in Tallahassee translate into real-world impacts in classrooms and
communities across our region.
This program offers an opportunity to engage with education policy through a local lens and helps frame
the broader education conversations that will continue throughout the 2026 legislative cycle.
We hope you’ll join us for this thoughtful and informative program!
About our speaker
A former educator, Alva Smith is currently the longest standing member of the Leon County School Board. First
elected in 2014 while teaching math and coaching cross country at Deerlake Middle School, Alva was subsequently re-elected in 2018 and 2022 and is up for re-election in 2026. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida School Boards Association where she also chairs the Legislative Committee. Previously, Alva served as CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend and as Executive Director at the FSU College of Law. She has served in various community service positions including on the Childrens Services Council Planning Committee, Board of Directors for the Council on Culture & the Arts, and with the United Way of the Big Bend. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the FSU College of Business where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Alva is a graduate of Leadership Tallahassee and Leadership Florida (Cornerstone Class 41) and was selected as 25 Women You Need to Know by the Tallahassee Democrat in 2025. Alva and her husband George have six children, all graduates of Leon County public schools.
We ask members to PLEASE RSVP as soon as you can and NO LATER THAN Thursday, March 12th which allows
us to plan for seating and service at the event.
Guest fee for this program is $35. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience so we may provide an accurate
headcount for food and beverage.
We look forward to seeing you on Monday, March 16th
RESCHEDULED
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Florida Department of Education
Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas
Join the Capital Tiger Bay Club as we welcome Florida Commissioner of Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas for an inside look at the future of Florida’s schools. From expanding educational and career opportunities to strengthening parental rights and transparency, Commissioner Kamoutsas will discuss the priorities shaping Florida’s education landscape.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand from Florida’s 29th Commissioner of Education on the policies driving the state’s next generation.
About the Speaker
Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas, the 29th Commissioner of Education for the state of Florida, leads the state’s efforts to expand education and career opportunities, strengthen parental rights and ensure transparency in schools across the state. Following Governor Ron DeSantis’
recommendation of Stasi Kamoutsas to serve as Florida’s next Commissioner of Education, the
State Board of Education unanimously selected him on June 4, 2025. Commissioner Kamoutsas
is dedicated to preparing Florida’s students for their futures.
A native of Miami Gardens, Commissioner Kamoutsas began his career as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County, where he prosecuted some of the community’s most violent criminals. He later represented lawn enforcement officers as Counsel to the Dade County Police Benevolent Association. In 2019, he joined the Florida Department of Education’s Office of General Counsel, quickly rising to serve as General Counsel and then Chief of Staff. He went on to serve as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Ron DeSantis, overseeing policy in the Governor’s priority areas of education, law enforcement and emergency management.
Over the last six years, Commissioner Kamoutsas has played a key role in shaping Florida’s education policy. He has been deeply involved in the state’s efforts to protect parental rights, expand school choice, eliminate DEI and CRT, and preserve education freedom. He was also instrumental in opposing COVID mask mandates and advancing the Governor’s successful push to reopen schools for in-person learning in 2020. His steadfast leadership has signaled a continued commitment to ensuring Florida remains the nation’s leader in bold, student-centered education reform.
Commissioner Kamoutsas earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida International University and his Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law. He is a devoted husband and the proud father of four daughters, drawing daily inspiration from his family as he works to safeguard the future of Florida’s children.
Become a Capital Tiger Bay Club Member
Click Here: Capital Tiger Bay Membership Application