Chamber names new business advocate

The St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce announced to local Historic City News reporters that St. Augustine resident Carol Saviak has been appointed as the Chamber’s Government Relations Manager.

In this newly crafted Government Relations Manager position, Saviak will have two primary areas of focus: business advocacy and economic development.

She will work closely with the Economic Development Council in establishing both the State and Local legislatives agendas and subsequently, serve as our advocate for the business community. She will also assist the Vice President of Economic Development in implementation of the tactics focused on increasing employment totals, average wages and commercial tax base within St. Johns County.

Saviak comes to the Chamber from her role as the Executive Director of the Coalition for Property Rights based in Orlando. There, she managed the statewide nonprofit public policy advocacy organization and served as a spokesperson for land owners and business owners throughout Florida.

Through her work with the coalition, she was an expert source for both State and national newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal and has been featured as an expert guest on a FOX News national news segment.

She has worked to advance a variety of state and local policy initiatives aimed at protecting property and business owners and strengthening Florida’s economy.

“Carol’s experience with public policy is extensive,” says Kirk Wendland, President of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. “When you are stepping up to the political table, it helps to know both sides of the equation.”

From campaign manager and senior policy aide, to her recent work successfully lobbying the Florida Legislature to reform eminent domain legislation, Wendland notes, Carol has a practical perspective of the legislative process.

She and her husband, Dr. Joe Saviak, reside on Anastasia Island. He is also a public policy expert and serves as an Assistant Professor of Public Administration at Flagler College.

Saviak was recently appointed by US Senator Marco Rubio to serve as a member of the federal Judicial Nominating Commission for the Middle District of Florida, a statewide panel charged with selecting nominees for presidential appointments to federal judgeships, U.S. attorneys and U.S. marshals.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph