By Adam Freeman, University Communications and Marketing
The University of South Florida Board of Trustees will continue to be led by Will Weatherford and Mike Griffin after their reelection as chair and vice chair during today’s board meeting.
Will Weatherford
Weatherford and Griffin, who have served as chair and vice chair since 2021, were each selected for an additional two-year term.
“I am grateful to my fellow trustees for their confidence in me to lead our board and to help continue the University of South Florida’s remarkable trajectory that has positioned us as one of America’s leading research universities,” Weatherford said. “In the coming years, USF is poised to reach significant milestones that will take our great university to the next level, from completing our transformational on-campus stadium to opening one of the nation’s first colleges dedicated to AI and cybersecurity, along with so much more.”
The continuity in board leadership is especially important as USF’s presidential search is set to ramp up in the coming months. Griffin has been tapped to chair the Presidential Search Committee, the same position he held during USF’s previous search in 2021-22.
“I am honored to continue to serve alongside Chair Weatherford, particularly at such a pivotal time in the University of South Florida’s history,” Griffin said. “I am very optimistic about USF’s future as we build on our momentum as a proud member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and help fuel the economic growth and prosperity of the Tampa Bay region and the state of Florida.”
Mike Griffin
Weatherford is the managing partner of Weatherford Capital, which he founded with his brothers Drew and Sam. He previously made history when he was sworn in as the 84th Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives in 2012, becoming the youngest presiding officer of any state legislative chamber in the United States at the time. Weatherford served in the Florida Legislature from 2006 – 2014.
Weatherford also served as co-chairman of the Super Bowl LV Host Committee in Tampa Bay, where the Buccaneers made history by being the first team to win the Super Bowl in their home stadium. He currently serves on several additional boards, including Dream Finders Homes, GuideWell, PayIt, Utility, Inc., The Florida Council of 100, and The American Enterprise Institute, among others.
Will earned his bachelor’s degree in international business from Jacksonville University.
Griffin is vice chairman and co-head of the Florida region for Savills, a worldwide company known for its consistent delivery of a full range of integrated real estate services across the globe.
He previously served as chairman of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as its youngest chairman in the more than 135-year history of the organization. Griffin serves on the Junior Achievement Florida Foundation Board of Directors and is a graduate of Leadership Florida (Cornerstone XXVI). He is also a member of the Lions World Vision Board of Directors.
Griffin, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from USF, served two terms as student body president and was the charter student member of USF’s Board of Trustees.