Late last week, the Board of Trustees selected Torey Alston as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Broward College. During his recent service as Governor Ron DeSantis’ appointee to the Broward School Board, Alston was a driving force behind the School District’s A+ grade. Alston has enjoyed support from local Republicans and Democrats during his time on the School Board as well as the the Broward Board of County Commissioners.

Broward College has four campuses in the County (Davie, Coconut Creek, Pembroke Pines and Fort Lauderdale).

Here is the press release from Broward College:

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – At its January 31, 2025 meeting, Broward College’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously to select Torey Alston the next president and chief executive officer of the College.

Alston comes to the College with both executive education and governmental experience. Most recently, he worked as the executive director and CEO of the Greater Miami Expressway Agency, an independent state agency. Previously, he served on both the Broward County Commission and as chair of the School Board of Broward County. Alston is a former trustee of Florida A&M University and served twice on the leadership team of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

“God is so good and I want to thank the Broward College District Board of Trustees for their vote of support and confidence as I transition to President of Broward College,” Alston said. “As the son of two parents who attended community college including my father who completed the police academy forty years ago from then Broward Community College, I know the value of the state college system first-hand.”

Alston will succeed Dr. Donald P. Astrab, who has served as Interim President since 2024.

At the meeting, Vice Chair Zachariah “Reggie” P. Zachariah, Jr. made a motion which was agreed upon unanimously to allow the chair to begin negotiating an employment contract with Alston.

“This is a decision that my fellow trustees and I took very seriously,” said Board Chair Alexis Yarbrough. “We had two very strong candidates, but Mr. Alston’s legislative experience, coupled with his relationships in the community made him the obvious choice.”

Others in the community have provided insight into Alston and the type of president he will be for Broward College. Some of what has been said includes, but is not limited to:

• “I served with Torey on the FAMU Board of Trustees many years ago and he still carries that same passion for education today. He would be a great College president,” said Ranking Member of the House Higher Education Budget Subcommittee State Representative Gallop Franklin.
  
• “When you think of strong leadership in Broward, only a few names come to mind. After working with Torey directly on big state issues as FDOT Chief of Staff and watching him serve as CEO at GMX, I know he will be a great President for Broward College,” said Adrian Lukis, former Chief of Staff to Governor Ron DeSantis.
  
• “I met Torey more than 30 years ago as a kid and I have watched him blossom from serving on our corporate board to being inducted in our hall of fame. As a community partner, we are excited to support him,” said Boys & Girls Club of Broward Co-CEO Matt Organ.
  
• “As a Broward native and fellow Blanche Ely High School alum, I’ve worked alongside Torey early in the current administration when he served as FDOT Chief of Staff, so I’ve seen his leadership and competence. Broward College will be in good hands with Torey at the helm,” said former NFL great Vice-Chair of the Senate Education Postsecondary Committee State Senator Corey Simon.
  
• “As someone who has had a front row seat to the creation of the Greater Miami Expressway Agency, Torey’s leadership since inception has been demonstrated through operational transparency, fiscal stability and relief for toll payers. I know this will translate to Broward College. While he will be missed at GMX, I know he will do a phenomenal job as president of Broward College,” said Chair of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee State Senator Bryan Avila.
  
• “I’ve seen Torey as a strong executive, county commissioner and chair of the school board always doing the right thing and holding people accountable. He will be a great president, and I look forward to working with him in the legislature,” said House Education & Employment Committee Vice-Chair State Representative Taylor Yarkosky.
  
• “While on the Broward School Board, Torey stood out as a leader who does his homework, he’s an effective communicator, he knew how to get a majority on big issues. I can’t think of a better pick that has always put students first. He has the credentials and broad community support. I’m clearly with Torey but the decision rests with the district Board of Trustees,” said State Board of Education Member Daniel Foganholi.
  
• “I have known Torey for nearly 20 years with both of us working for various gubernatorial administrations. Torey will be perfect as the next president and CEO of Broward College,” said Stephanie Smith, Chair of the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors.
  
• “Torey and I sat next to each other on the County Commission, and he was always prepared, even tempered and effective. I know he will be a great College president,” said Broward County Vice-Mayor Mark Bogen.
  
• “I served with Torey on the County Commission when I served as County Mayor, he was effective and not afraid to take tough votes for what he thought was right. I support him as the next president of Broward College,” said Broward County Commissioner and former Broward County Mayor Michael Udine.
  
• “Torey served with distinction on the Broward School Board, and I am excited about the potential for deeper collaboration with Broward College. Our students would greatly benefit from a true Broward leader. I fully support Torey,” said Broward School Board Member and Immediate Past Chair Lori Alhadeff.
  
• “He’s sharp, decisive, straight forward and an effective communicator. I can’t think of a better President for Broward College at this pivotal moment,” said Broward School Board Member Brenda Fam.
  
• “I know Torey and I have watched his leadership at GMX since its inception. He has a bold vision for Broward College and its students, and he will be a phenomenal college president,” said Florida House Speaker Danny Perez.
  
• “We know Torey and this is phenomenal news for our community. We encourage the Board of Trustees to bring it home and support Torey as the next College president. We are with him,” said Pastor Anthony Sanders of the South Broward Ministerial Alliance.
  
• “Torey worked for me and with me and he’s a first-class professional. He’s immensely qualified and Broward College will land a jewel if Torey’s the next president,” says Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Dr. Jose Dotres.
  
• “I hired Torey twice and he helped me during a critical phase of the 2012 General Obligation Bond in Miami-Dade. His fingerprints are still apart of those efforts today and I’m proud to support him as the next College President,” said Los Angeles Unified Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.
  
• “Torey has been a strong leader in our region as head of GMX to serving both as a county commissioner and chairman of the school board. He will be a great leader at the helm,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Chair Rodney Barreto.
  
• “When Torey served as my Chief of Staff at FDOT, I knew he was special. He was a stead-hand for the agency, advisor to me on so many critical state issues and always served with a smile. Torey will do well as president,” said Kevin Thibault, former FDOT Secretary and Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO.
  
• “As a former Board Chair at Broward College and former longtime administrator in Broward County Public Schools, Torey brings the right leadership, gravitas, rolodex, and community support needed to be successful. I support Torey as the next President and CEO of Broward College,” said Dr. Dorsey Miller, 35th Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
  
• “Our families have known each other for years and I am excited that the Board has named Torey, a fellow Blanche Ely High School alum, a finalist for college president. I support him to be the next President of Broward College,” said former NFL great Henri Crockett, President-elect of the Orange Bowl Committee.
  
• “As a former colleague with Pompano Beach roots, he’s Broward grown and knows this community well. I’m happy to support Torey and the bright future ahead for the College,” said Broward County Commissioner and past County Mayor Lamar Fischer.
  
• “Torey is family, and I support him as the next president of Broward College,” said Broward County Commissioner Robert McKinzie.
  
• “As a 33311 kid, this is the perfect candidate for Broward and I’m happy to support my friend and Broward College,” said past Florida House Democratic Leader Bobby DuBose.

Alston said he is excited and ready to go on day one to help bring Broward College to the next level.

“I look forward to making Broward College the number one destination for academic excellence working with the Board, faculty, staff, students, alumni and the broader community,” he said.