Ben F. Shirley, Jr.

Florida Department of Children and Families

Ben F. Shirley, Jr. was appointed to the Council in 2011 by former Secretary David Wilkins of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and served until 2013. He has been re-appointed in 2016 by Secretary Mike Carroll of DCF. Mr. Shirley currently serves as the Regional Director of the Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS) within the Suncoast Region. In his role, he’s responsible for all aspects of ESS Programs and Operations. Mr. Shirley has decades of systems and operational expertise and experience. He has held various leadership positions within the Department. Mr. Shirley has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. He is also a Certified Public Manager and a Florida Sterling Examiner.