Nocatee, Florida — Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Richard Comerford as Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections on July 1, tapping a 40-year veteran of the agency to lead the nation's third-largest state correctional system.
Comerford most recently served as Deputy Secretary, providing executive oversight for the department's operations across the state. He began his career in 1986 as a correctional officer at Okaloosa Correctional Institution and advanced through supervisory, investigative, and command roles, including multiple warden assignments and Assistant Deputy Secretary of Institutions.
Governor DeSantis praised Comerford's experience and commitment to public safety, calling him well qualified to build on the department's success. Comerford said he was humbled by the trust placed in him and pledged to uphold public safety while strengthening resources for correctional staff.
