Visit Florida Keys Appoints David Burke as Chief Administrative Officer

Tuesday, Apr 21, 2026 0

Visit Florida Keys & Key West announced today the appointment of David Burke as Chief Administrative Officer, a newly created leadership role focused on strengthening operational accountability, compliance and intergovernmental coordination across the organization. Burke, a Key West resident and retired U.S. Navy captain, will partner closely with executive leadership to build the systems and infrastructure that support transparent, responsible stewardship of Monroe County’s tourism investment.

“David brings exactly the kind of operational rigor and intergovernmental experience this organization needs as we continue building a transparent, accountable tourism economy for Monroe County,” said Kara Franker, president and CEO of Visit Florida Keys. “His track record of aligning complex organizations and managing compliance across multiple stakeholders will strengthen the partnerships that make this destination work. I’m thrilled to welcome him to the team.”

A resident of Key West since 2020, Burke brings more than three decades of leadership experience in operations, compliance and interagency coordination. His career reflects deep expertise in program and financial management, along with a strong commitment to responsible stewardship of public resources.

As chief administrative officer, Burke will oversee the organization’s compliance systems, contract routing, internal controls, and coordination with government partners. He will also lead efforts to strengthen the administrative infrastructure that supports organizational transparency and efficiency, including the adoption of modern technology and AI-enabled tools.

Burke joins Visit Florida Keys & Key West from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, where he served as deputy superintendent and, most recently, acting superintendent, overseeing operations, budget planning, and management of agreements with partner organizations. He came to the Sanctuary following a distinguished 32-year career in the U.S. Navy.

During his Navy career, Burke held senior leadership positions including chief of staff at Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West and chief of staff at Carrier Strike Group TWELVE. He also served on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, where his portfolio included cyber, space and strategic communication initiatives.

Burke earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the U.S. Naval Academy, a master’s degree in global leadership from the University of San Diego, and a master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College in Washington, D.C.

“The Florida Keys are a special place, and I’m honored to bring my experience in operations and interagency coordination to an organization that plays such a vital role in this community,” Burke said. “I look forward to working alongside this team to build the kind of strong, accountable infrastructure that serves residents and visitors alike.”

Burke’s official start date with Visit Florida Keys will be May 18, 2026.