New Central Florida Expressway Authority board is taking shape

The remaining three positions will be picked by Gov. Rick Scott, whose last two appointments to the now defunct Orlando Orange County Expressway Authority were either suspended or quit after a grand jury investigation into the agency.

The board of Orlando's new expressway authority is taking shape with elected officials from Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Lake counties taking six of the nine spots.

Joining the board of the Central Florida Expressway Authority will be Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Orange Commissioner Scott Boyd, Osceola Commission Chairman Fred Hawkins, Jr., Seminole Commissioner Brenda Carey and Lake Commissioner Welton Cadwell.

The mayors of Orlando and Orange County are on the board as a result of the law passed earlier this year by the Legislature. The others were chosen for the panel by their respective commissions.

Seven people have applied to Scott for the remaining posts: They are:

Maitland attorney Walter Ketcham. He was the chairman of the Orlando expressway authority before it was turned into a regional authority.

Shawn Sheeringa, a president of BBA Aviation in Orlando.

Larry Magel, a retired law firm manager.

Atlee Mercer, chairman of the Osceola County Expressway Authority.

Scott Taylor, chairman of Worldwide Orchids, Inc. in Apopka.

Orlando attorney Pat Christiansen.

Dennis Warren, a retired Orange County Corrections captain.

Scott had three appointees on the old five-member board. He reappointed Ketcham last year.

Scott Batterson, who Scott put on in 2011, was charged with three bribery related charges, as well as violating state public meetings laws. He was suspended by Scott. Marco Pena, a Scott appointee, resigned and pleaded guilty to breaking public records laws.

dltracy@tribune.com or 407-420-5444.