Gov. Rick Scott on Monday named Jimmy Patronis as the state's new Chief Financial Officer. Patronis, a Panama City businessman, will be sowrn in on June 30.

"I am honored to appoint Jimmy Patronis as Florida's Chief Financial Officer," Scott said. "As a small business owner, Jimmy has been a successful job creator and has helped grow Panama City's economy. I know that he will bring his wealth of private sector experience with him to Tallahassee."

Patronis succeeds Jeff Atwater, who earlier announced his resignation to take a new job at Florida Atlantic University. The Patronis family owns the restaurant Captain Anderson's in Panama City, and Patronis previously servived four terms in the state House, beginning in 2006.

Two Gulf Coast leaders, Neal Communities founder Pat Neal and state Rep. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, were under consideration for the position. Gruters congradulated Patronis online. "He will be a great CFO for Florida," Gruters tweeted.