Health Care District Board Elects Leslie (Les) B. Daniels as Chair and Honors Outgoing Chair Brian R. Lohmann

As outgoing chair Brian R. Lohmann passed the gavel to newly elected chair Leslie (Les) B. Daniels, Commissioner Lohmann said, “I have always been a firm believer in leaving it better than you found it.”

Commissioner Daniels and other members of the Health Care District of Palm Beach County Board agreed that during Mr. Lohmann’s eight years on the board, his leadership left the community better off, as the public health care system expanded access to care while reducing the burden on taxpayers.

“I have tremendous appreciation and respect for Brian,” said Darcy J. Davis, CEO of the Heath Care District. “He set the tone for fiscal responsibility and efficiency with an eye on meeting future needs. From the rich soil in the western communities, to the beaches on the coast, he governed equally and fairly.”

After recognizing Commissioner Lohmann, the Board elected Commissioner Daniels as new chair during the Board’s September 24th meeting.  Mr. Daniels was appointed to the Health Care District Board in May 2013 by former Florida Governor Rick Scott and was reappointed for a second four-year term in 2017.  The Board re-elected Nancy C. Banner, Esq. as Vice Chair and Sean O’Bannon as Secretary.

“It is an honor to serve as Health Care District Board Chair,” said Commissioner Daniels.  “I am committed to ensuring operational efficiency on behalf of the taxpayers as we meet the changing health care needs of our community.”

Commissioner Daniels is an Operating Partner of AE Industrial Partners, L.P. He serves on the board of directors of Moeller Aerospace, as well as GAMCO Investors, Inc. (GBL).  Mr. Daniels also serves on the Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiation (ACTPN) as a presidential appointee. He is a former chair and former member of Florida’s State Board of Administration, Investment Advisory Council (IAC). Mr. Daniels received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Fordham University.

Commissioner Lohmann was appointed to two consecutive terms on the Health Care District Board by the Palm Beach County Commission beginning in 2011.  He served as chair of the District’s Finance Committee and was instrumental in achieving year-over-year millage reductions and strategic budgeting.

During Commissioner Lohmann’s tenure, the District’s primary care clinics launched a Medication Assisted Treatment program to address the county’s opioid epidemic, rolled out a mobile health clinic to serve the homeless and added dental, behavioral health, psychiatry and women’s health services.  In 2018, Lakeside Medical Center, the District’s rural teaching hospital in the Glades, earned an A-rating as a top hospital in the nation for patient safety.

A native Floridian, Mr. Lohmann is Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and General Manager of the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. He received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Florida.

The Health Care District Board of Commissioners also includes Cory Neering, West Palm Beach City Commissioner, Edward G. Sabin and Alina M. Alonso, MD, Director of the Florida Department of Health for Palm Beach County.