MIAMI – The ACLU of Florida announced today the appointment of Amy Turkel as the organization’s interim executive director. Turkel, the organization’s director of philanthropy, will serve as interim executive director for the civil liberties organization during the search process for a permanent executive director.
Amy, a native Floridian and long-time ACLU member, has a long history with the ACLU and brings a wealth of experience to the organization. Amy comes from a family of lifelong ACLU members and civil rights activists. Her parents were members of the Greater Miami Chapter before there was a staff-led ACLU affiliate.
Amy has worked at the ACLU of Florida for almost ten years – first as the director of communications and now as the director of philanthropy. She has had an extensive career in marketing and communications first as the vice president of an advertising agency and then as president of a branding firm.
Dr. Micah W. Kubic is leaving the ACLU of Florida this month after three years to return to his home state of Kansas to become the Executive Director of the ACLU of Kansas.
During his tenure in Florida, Dr. Kubic worked with a diverse group of stakeholders to bring forward legislation to roll back Florida’s antiquated ‘tough-on-crime’ approach to criminal justice by enabling people who are currently incarcerated to get time off their sentence by participating in rehabilitation and vocational training programs. In addition, he spurred the enactment of multiple local ordinances making communities safe and welcoming for immigrants, helped lead successful litigation against a law that criminalized peaceful protest by racial justice and police accountability protesters, and set the groundwork for a package of voting rights ballot initiatives. He also doubled the size of the affiliate in three years and built the staff and organizational capacity to achieve all these initiatives.
“It has been a great honor to work with Micah. His engaging leadership and accomplishments have advanced Floridians' rights in every part of the state,” said Michael Barfield, President, ACLU of Florida. “The Florida affiliate is well poised to continue the vital work of securing equity and justice for communities adversely impacted by attacks on freedom. We wish Micah much success and will miss him.
“I am excited to welcome Amy in her new role. We are fortunate to have so many talented staff at the Florida affiliate. Amy hails from a family dedicated to protecting civil liberties. Her depth of experience will be invaluable to the organization as we search for a new organizational leader.”