DeSantis’ Disney Ally Raking in $600,000 Thanks to New Job

DeSantis’ right-hand man is raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Angry Ron DeSantis over Walt Disney World — Credit: Inside the Magic

Glen Gilzean, Administrator of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, is reportedly raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars thanks to his new position as Supervisor of Elections in Orange County. Gilzean was made administrator in 2023 by Gov. Ron DeSantis himself, with the job coming with a salary of $400,000 a year.

However, DeSantis recently put Gizlean in charge of elections in Orange County, which brings along new responsibilities as well as a new salary. Gilzean told Wesh that state law grants him permission to serve as Administrator of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District as well as Supervisor of Elections. This new role comes with a salary of $205,000 a year, meaning Gilzean is now securing $605,000 annually thanks to DeSantis.

Gilzean was forced to step down from his board position on the Florida Commission on Ethics last year due to conflicts of interest, but he assures Florida law allows him to take on this new role without any hiccups.

Glen Gilzean Becomes New Administrator for Disney’s Governing District, Will Earn as Much as a US President — Credit: Inside the Magic

Gilzean stated he would keep his CFTOD job until the board decided on the next steps. Gilzean said Paula J. Hoisington will serve as Acting District Administrator when he is not available. Gilzean was first appointed as administrator of the new district shortly after Florida took control over Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District in 2023 as a result of months-long attacks from DeSantis.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis started threatening The Walt Disney Company seriously in 2022 due to Disney taking a stance against his controversial Parental Rights in Education Act, or the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Disney followed a multitude of other companies, activists, and politicians in protesting the bill, which placed a target directly on its back. Gov. DeSantis came after Disney hard, especially the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Among various changes to how Walt Disney World operated in Florida, DeSantis also threatened to strip away Disney’s control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, a ruling that was set up decades ago, allowing Walt Disney World to operate as its own form of government.

This special agreement benefitted both Disney and the state of Florida, creating a symbiotic relationship. However, this all came crashing down in 2023, with DeSantis emerging victorious. After months of debating and voting, DeSantis was able to strip control of this district away from Disney and place it directly into the hands of Florida. The RCID was renamed to the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and featured a brand new board hand-picked by DeSantis himself, with Gilzean at the top.

Disney did not back down quietly; however, filing multiple lawsuits against both the state of Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis, claiming the company’s Freedom of Speech was infringed upon. DeSantis countersued Disney, with the two parties locked in a legal battle that will undoubtedly stretch on for months.

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