Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Michael DeMorat and the reappointment of Bruce Deardoff and Dr. Edgar Figueroa to the Eastern Florida State College District Board of Trustees on May 30, 2026. The board oversees the three-campus college system serving Brevard, Seminole, and Osceola counties. DeMorat, a 30-year law enforcement veteran, will join the board as a new member. Deardoff and Figueroa will continue their roles after being reappointed. The governor’s office did not specify the terms of their appointments or any changes to their responsibilities.
Michael DeMorat is the Chief Deputy of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. He has worked in law enforcement since 1996 and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of South Florida. DeMorat has also served on the FBI National Academy Associates and the Serene Harbor Domestic Violence Shelter Board of Directors. His appointment adds a law enforcement perspective to the board, which has faced scrutiny over campus safety and student support programs in recent years.
Bruce Deardoff is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Deardoff Automotive Group, a car dealership chain with locations across Central Florida. He has been on the board since 2020 and previously served on the Brevard County School Board. Deardoff has emphasized workforce development and partnerships between the college and local businesses during his tenure. His reappointment follows a year of budget negotiations that saw the college system secure additional funding for technical training programs.
Dr. Edgar Figueroa, who was reappointed without public comment, has served on the board since 2018. He is a former president of Eastern Florida State College and has advocated for expanding access to higher education in underserved communities. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2026, where members will discuss proposed changes to the college’s academic calendar and enrollment targets.