Secretary Detzner Thanks Dave Ramsay for Service as Board Chair of the Friends of Mission San Luis Citizen Support Organization

Tallahassee, Florida –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner today expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Dave Ramsay for his five consecutive one-year terms serving as the Friends of Mission San Luis Citizen Support Organization’s Board chair. Last week during the board’s monthly meeting, Ramsay relinquished his role as board chair, saying after five years it was time for new leadership. Secretary Detzner appointed board member Vern Williams as the new interim chair.

"Dave Ramsay has been a tremendous supporter of Mission San Luis and its goal of educating its visitors about the archaeology and history of Florida's Hispanic and Native American peoples," said Secretary Detzner. "Mission San Luis is a world-class and historically rich site that has continued to grow in popularity and in the number of ways it allows visitors to experience Florida’s heritage, and it has done so in a very impressive manner while Dave has led the Mission’s citizen support organization."

During Ramsay’s tenure as Board chair, the Mission’s endowment has doubled in size, growing by more than a million dollars. Additionally, annual program revenue has grown from $38,000 to a budgeted figure of $262,000 and the construction of the fort and the Mission’s 24,000 square foot visitor center has been completed.

"This experience has been extremely exhilarating, unbelievably gratifying and a truly humbling privilege," said Ramsay. "I will forever be appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the growth and expansion of this unique treasure."

New Interim Board Chair Vern Williams is a certified public accountant for Carr, Riggs & Ingram in Tallahassee. He has been a member of the Friends of Mission San Luis Board since 2008.

About Mission San Luis

From 1656 to 1704, San Luis served as the principal village of the Apalachees and was the Spaniards’ westernmost military, religious, and administrative capital. Mission San Luis was also one of more than 100 mission settlements established in Spanish Florida between the 1560s and 1690s. It was home to more than 1,400 residents, including a powerful Apalachee chief and the Spanish deputy governor. Today, the 17th century is brought to life through living history guides in period dress, exhibits, archaeology, and reconstructed colonial buildings. The site is located at 2100 West Tennessee Street. Daily hours are 10 A.M. to 4 P.M., Tuesday through Sunday. For more information please call 850.245.6406 or visit www.missionsanluis.org.