By Adam Freeman, University Communications and Marketing
In 2026, three prominent members of the Tampa Bay community will join the University of South Florida Board of Trustees (BOT).
During a Florida Board of Governors meeting on Dec. 12, Andrea Gonzmart Williams and Nancy Watkins were appointed to the BOT. Both appointments are effective Jan. 7, 2026, and are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
On Dec. 30, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Chad Mizelle to the BOT, also subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Andrea Gonzmart Williams
Gonzmart Williams is a fifth-generation owner of the Columbia Restaurant Group where she works at the corporate office in Ybor City and is actively involved in the operations of the group鈥檚 restaurants. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business administration from USF and has mostly recently served on the USF Foundation Board of Directors. Gonzmart Williams is involved in community leadership, including serving as chair of the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and as a member of the Tourist and Development Council for Hillsborough County and the Florida Aquarium Board of Directors.
Nancy Watkins
Watkins is a certified public accountant with the firm Robert Watkins & Company. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Florida Institute of Public Accountants and was a member of Beta Alpha Psi and Phi Theta Kappa. Watkins earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting from USF and previously served on the USF Board of Trustees from 2013-21. She currently serves on the Southwest Florida Water Management District鈥檚 Governing Board and has been on the Hillsborough College District Board of Trustees.
Chad Mizelle
Mizelle is the former chief of staff for U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Previously, he served as chief legal officer of Affinity Partners, chief of staff and acting general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security, associate counsel at the White House and chair of the Florida Elections Commission. Mizelle earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of Florida and a law degree from Cornell University.
In addition to the new members, in December the Board of Governors also reappointed Fredrick Piccolo to an additional term on the BOT, while DeSantis reappointed trustees Michael Carrere, Rogan Donelly and Lauran Monbarren.