Disney exec named UF's new vp for university relations

September 2, 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Jane Adams, vice president for government relations for the Walt Disney World Co. in Orlando, has been named the University of Florida’s new vice president for university relations. She will assume her new position Oct. 1, according to UF officials.

“I’m very pleased that Jane has agreed to become part of the University of Florida,” said UF President Bernie Machen. “The extensive search to fill this highly visible position produced several exceptional finalists. Jane’s breadth of experience in governmental affairs at Walt Disney World clearly put her over the top.”

Adams, 51, has worked for Disney since 1993 and has been in her current position since August 2001. Her responsibilities include developing the company’s positions on public policy issues and working with the company’s public affairs leadership on selected media relations efforts.
Her previous positions with Disney include director of communications and public relations for the Disney Cruise Line, director of government relations and external affairs for Walt Disney World, and manager of media relations, also for Walt Disney World.

Before joining Disney, Adams spent time as the vice president of media relations for Burson-Marsteller Public Relations in Washington, D.C., and as a press secretary for former U.S. Sen. and current Gov. Frank Murkowski and U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, both Alaska Republicans.
“It is an honor to be invited to join the University of Florida team in this very challenging and exciting position,” said Adams. “I look forward to becoming a part of the university family and a member of the Gainesville community.”

Adams is a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee for the Florida Chamber Foundation, the Board of Governors for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors for the Florida Restaurant Association, the Executive Committee of myregion.org, the executive committee of the Disney-SBA National Entrepreneur Center, the Board of Directors for the Florida TaxWatch Center for Tourism and the Board of Directors of the Council For Sustainable Florida. She also serves as chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors for the Enterprise Community Development District.

A graduate of Iowa State University with bachelor’s degrees in political science and journalism, Adams also completed a nondegree management program at the Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in Orlando.