Janet Watermeier, former Lee County Economic Development Director and president of the newly formed consulting firm has been appointed secretary of the Florida Transportation Commission.

The commission provides leadership and policy guidance in meeting the state's transportation needs. It evaluates the performance of the Florida Department of Transportation and makes recommendations to the governor and the legislature on statewide issues. Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Watermeier to the commission in 2001.

Watermeier served as Lee County's Economic Development Director for seven years before forming The Florida Gulf Coast Group in April. The company is a private consulting and development resources firm focused on identifying development and investment opportunities. The primary focus of the firm is to facilitate public-private partnership projects, provide market information, project feasibility and economic analysis.

She currently serves on the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council and Florida's Long Range Economic Strategic Plan Task Force. Additionally, she conducts seminars for the Department of Community Affairs and the Florida Economic Development Council.