Florida’s former Lt. Governor, Jennifer Carroll, has joined Global Digital Solutions, a company that provides security-related solutions in unsettled areas. The company also stated that Ms. Carroll is expected to become President and Chief Operating Officer once a planned merger with Airtronic USA, Inc. has been completed.
Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad West Indies, Carroll immigrated to the United States as a young child. She went on to become the state’s first female elected as Lt. Governor and its first African-American elected statewide. Prior to her service as Florida’s 18th Lt. Governor, Carroll was a state legislator for over seven years, a small business owner, and Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, responsible for over 1.8 million veterans.
As Lt. Governor from 2011 to 2013, Carroll oversaw the Florida Department of Military Affairs, the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, and was Chairperson of Space Florida. She was also the Governor’s Designee on the Florida Defense Support Task Force, and Chairperson on the Governor’s Task Force on Citizen Safety and Protection.
“I’m delighted to join Global Digital Solutions as a senior advisor,” commented Carroll. “And I look forward to working closely with the team at GDSI and Airtronic to seize what I believe are truly enormous growth opportunities both in the domestic and global arenas.”
Global Digital Solutions plans to merge with Airtronic USA Inc., the largest woman-owned small arms manufacturer in the United States; and Carroll’s decorated military career leaves no doubt she has the experience needed to fill this position. After enlisting in the United States Navy in 1979, Carroll served with distinction, rising from the rank of jet mechanic E-1 to retiring as a Lieutenant Commander, Aviation Maintenance Officer. During her 20-year
Navy career, she was honored with numerous awards, including a Meritorious Service Medal, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, a National Defense Service Medal, and an Expert Pistol Medal.“We’re very excited that Jennifer Carroll has joined the Global Digital team as a senior advisor,” said Richard J. Sullivan, the company’s largest shareholder who will become Chairman and CEO after the acquisition with Airtronic is completed. “Jennifer’s extensive experience in government and military affairs will be extremely helpful as we complete the Airtronic merger process and continue to implement our global growth strategy going forward.
Her multicultural background and dedication to public service are a perfect fit for our global strategy. Once the merger is completed, Jennifer will transition to a key leadership role as President and COO of Global Digital Solutions.”Dr. Merriellyn Kett, Airtronic’s CEO and President, also commented on the appointment: “I’m very pleased that someone with Jennifer Carroll’s leadership experience in government and with her dedicated military service has joined the GDSI team. Her experience will serve us well as we address the needs of our customers here in the United States and around the world.”