The Cabinet just named Col. Julie Jones, chief of law enforcement for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, to lead the Division of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles — one of the state's largest and most high-profile agencies.
"These are dedicated individuals, this is a good agency," Jones said of DHSMV. "I really appreciate this."
Jones, 52, will replace Electra Bustle, who earlier this month announced her plans to resign the post for a job in the private sector. Bustle has not disclosed where she will work, saying she wants to wait until she officially ends her tenure at the DHSMV.
She originally planned to leave the DHSMV Sept. 15 but agreed to stay an extra two weeks because only one person — Bustle's chief of staff Larry Ringers, former chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp — had applied for the job overseeing 4,500 employees and a budget of nearly $400 million.
Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson lauded Jones, saying she has long had a stellar reputation.
"I want to commend her for the outstanding service she has already given to the state of Florida, and I hope it continues to take you to great places," Bronson said.
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