Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Four Members to the Tampa- Hillsborough County Expressway Authority Board

TAMPA, FL (September 26, 2025) — Governor Ron DeSantis has reappointed Vince Cassidy and Bennett Barrow to the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority (THEA) Board of Directors and has appointed two new members, Lakshmikanth “LK” Nandam and Cody Powell. These appointments come at a key moment for the agency as it implements a $752 million five-year work plan, which includes $692 million in infrastructure construction to meet the growing needs of Tampa Bay.

“We are honored to welcome LK Nandam and Cody Powell to the Board and grateful for the continued leadership of Vince Cassidy and Bennett Barrow as we enter a momentous time here at THEA,” said Gregory Slater, Executive Director and CEO. “I’d like to thank Governor DeSantis and the Appointments Office for continuing to find impactful community leaders to serve and guide us as part of our Board.”

Cassidy, president of Majesty Title Services and a long-time community leader, will serve as Board Chair. “We appreciate Governor DeSantis’ confidence in THEA and his commitment to appointing strong leaders to our Board,” said Vince Cassidy. “With the addition of LK Nandam and Cody Powell, this Board is well-positioned to guide THEA through an exciting period of growth and investment for our community.”

Barrow, the Board’s Vice-chair, is President of Barrow Asset Management. “It’s an honor to continue serving on the THEA Board. I look forward to supporting projects that will drive innovation, improve safety, mobility, and help shape the future of transportation in the Tampa Bay Area,” said Bennett Barrow.

Nandam, Senior Vice President and Florida State and local Market Leader at GFT (Gannett Fleming, Inc. and TransSystems Corporation), previously served as District Secretary and Director of Transportation Operations for the Florida Department of Transportation and as a Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization member. “I’m truly honored to have been nominated by Governor DeSantis to the THEA board,” said LK Nandam. “As a long-time Tampa Bay resident and part of FDOT leadership, I have seen the tremendous growth and the need for infrastructure investments in this region.”

Powell, Owner and Broker of Powell Realty, is active in the local community as a Suncoast Tampa Association of Realtors member and previously served on the Hillsborough County Planning Commission. “I am humbled and honored that Governor DeSantis appointed me to THEA,” said Cody Powell. “We have a lot of exciting projects on the horizon that will have a lasting and meaningful impact on our community, and I’m grateful to play a role in those efforts.”

THEA also sincerely appreciates outgoing member John Weatherford for his many years of dedicated service and leadership, particularly as Secretary of the Board.

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ABOUT THEA:

Tampa Hillsborough Expressway Authority (THEA) is an award-winning and dynamic transportation agency committed to enriching lives by connecting communities. THEA owns, manages, and operates the Selmon Expressway system, which includes Meridian Avenue, Brandon Parkway, and the Selmon Greenway. As part of its mission, THEA continues to reinvest revenue generated by its assets back into the community through innovative infrastructure projects, safety enhancements, and economic development initiatives. THEA processes 78 million toll transactions and serves almost 4 million customers annually. For more information, visit www.tampa-way.com.

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