---
title: Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Three to Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority
canonical: https://flfeed.com/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-three-to-gainesville-regional-utilities-authority/
published: '2026-11-05T13:10:49-05:00'
updated: '2026-11-05T13:10:49-05:00'
author: FLFeed Staff
section: Governor
places:
- Clay County
tags:
- Governor
- Appointments
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Chief Financial Officer
source: Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
source_url: https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-three-gainesville-regional-utilities-authority
publisher: FLFeed
attribution: Copyright FLFeed. Quote with credit to FLFeed and a link to the canonical URL above.
---

# Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Three to Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

On an unspecified date, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Douglas Back and Clark Futch, along with the reappointment of Eric Lawson, to the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority. Douglas Back is a retired employee of Gainesville Regional Utilities with a background in mechanical engineering, while Clark Futch works at the University of Florida and holds degrees in food and resource economics and business. Eric Lawson has previously served as CEO and CFO at various HCA hospitals.

---

### Press Release: Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

*Reproduced in full from the [Office of Governor Ron DeSantis](https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-three-gainesville-regional-utilities-authority).*

#### Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Three to the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

**TALLAHASSEE, Fla.:**  Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Douglas Back and Clark Futch and the reappointment of Eric Lawson to the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority.

**Douglas Beck**

Beck is retired from Gainesville Regional Utilities where he served in various roles since 2005. He holds a Professional Engineering License with the State of Florida. Beck graduated from Indiana Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering.

**Clark Futch**

Futch of Gainesville is employed by the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business. Futch earned his bachelor’s degree in food and resource economics from the University of Florida and master’s degree from the University of Arkansas.

**Eric Lawson**

Previously Lawson served as Chief Executive Officer of HCA North Florida Hospital, Chief Financial Officer of HCA North Florida Hospital, HCA Orange Park Hospital, and HCA St. Joseph’s Hospital. Lawson earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Tennessee Technological University.

Source: [Office of Governor Ron DeSantis](https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-appoints-three-gainesville-regional-utilities-authority)