IMPORTANT NEWS...
Secretary Drago Names John Powell Director of Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
August 13, 2009
TALLAHASSEE— Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Charles W. Drago is pleased to announce the appointment of John Powell as the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. Director John Powell will officially join the DBPR team on Aug. 24.
“John is an experienced law enforcement officer and has shown a commitment to excellence in his career,” said Secretary Charles W. Drago. “John is going to be an excellent addition to the leadership team at DBPR and a strong director for ABT.”
John Powell is a native of Pensacola and an experienced law enforcement officer, with more than 25 years of experience. Powell served 12 years with the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, where he worked in the areas of narcotics, homicide, property crimes, sex crimes and crimes against children and robbery investigations. He was promoted to sergeant of the Criminal Investigations Division and received an honorary promotion to lieutenant after leaving the sheriff's office.
In 1996, Powell was appointed as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigations by the United States Department of Justice. Following his time with the FBI, Powell served as the police chief in Hartsville, S.C., Wilson, N.C. and Dothan, Ala.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve my home state and its citizens as the director of ABT,” said Powell. “I am honored by the appointment and looking forward to joining the DBPR team.”
Powell holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Troy University, Troy, Ala. He is also a graduate of the FBI Academy, the 59th Session of the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar, the FBI Command College and the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement.
The mission of ABT is to keep alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage persons, to ensure that licensed establishments are in compliance with the laws and rules regulating the industry in Florida, and to collect taxes and fees related to these industries.
The Department’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com.