FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2013

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is pleased to announce Marco Paredes, Jr., as the new Director of the Office of Legislative Planning. Mr. Paredes brings to the position a strong background in public policy and government relations. As Legislative Director, Mr. Paredes will provide leadership for the Department’s legislative priorities and policy.

“We are pleased to have Marco Paredes join our team to serve the public health needs of Floridians,” said Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Health Kim Barnhill. “His background and leadership abilities indicate he will be successful in overseeing the legislative priorities for the Department.”

Mr. Paredes most recently served in the private sector as Senior Manager of State Government Affairs for Amgen. As Senior Manager he was responsible for leading a team of government relations specialists in the Southeast United States and Puerto Rico and overseeing all analysis of legislation, regulation and policy. Mr. Paredes’ work focused on the areas of Medicaid budgeting and reimbursement, health care, labor and tax policy.

Mr. Paredes received his Bachelors in Political Science from the University of Miami and his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University. He began his career in government relations as Legislative Director for Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa. He later worked for the Miami Children’s Hospital as Director of Public Policy and Government Relations.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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