Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas is a deeply purpose-driven individual motivated by faith, family, loyalty, and an unyielding work ethic. Born in Los Angeles, California, Kamoutsas was 18 months old when he and his family moved to Miami. His grandparents fled Communist Cuba in the 1960s and built a new life in the United States. Their experience, and the trauma of being uprooted from their homeland and forced to flee in pursuit of freedom, left a lasting impression on Kamoutsas. He credits his grandparents for shaping his values, strengthening his commitment to family and community, and fueling his determination to serve others through public service. “My grandparents came to this country with nothing,” Kamoutsas said. “They would always tell me how blessed I am to live in the United States, a land of endless opportunities and the greatest country on earth.” In high school, he took advanced courses in Biology and Anatomy, believing that he would pursue a career in medicine. But after taking advanced courses in Government and Economics during his senior year, he discovered a passion for public service and decided to pursue Political Science. Kamoutsas attended Florida State University for two years before returning to Miami to help his mother and support his family and two younger siblings. He completed his undergraduate studies at Florida International University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Following graduation, he attended law school at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Kamoutsas didn’t grow up aspiring to be a lawyer, “I knew I needed to make money because we were poor,” he said with a laugh. “I also knew I wanted to be in a position where I could give back to the community.” For Kamoutsas, the law ultimately became more than a profession, it became a calling rooted in purpose and service. After his first year of law school, Kamoutsas interned with then Circuit Court Judge Monica Gordo, who now serves on the Third District Court of Appeal. Through his work with Judge Gordo, he learned about her experience as an Assistant State Attorney at the State Attorney’s Office which inspired him to pursue a career in prosecution. The summer after his second year of law school, he interned with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Offices in Hampton and Norfolk, Virginia. “I loved the work, and by the third year of law school I knew that I wanted to be a prosecutor.” In the Fall of 2012, he applied to the State Attorney’s Office (SAO) and received a job offer. He was thrilled to have a guaranteed job before finishing law school and his family was ecstatic that he would be returning to Florida. Kamoutsas began his journey as an Assistant State Attorney in Driving Under the Influence (DUI) County Court. After spending a short stint in the Juvenile Division, he was quickly promoted to the Felony Division where he took on increasing serious criminal cases and responsibilities. He believes that the job of a prosecutor is essential to ensuring that the criminal justice system operates fairly and justly. “It is the prosecutor that ensures the innocent are not wrongly accused, while also ensuring that justice and accountability are sought in the courtroom. No one else has that power and responsibility.” One of the most important lessons Kamoutsas learned as a prosecutor came from a case in which he had sufficient evidence, but faced significant challenges in proving it, and yet was able to secure a conviction. “I learned that just because something looks difficult doesn’t mean that you can’t be successful. This is a lesson that has impacted my approach to public service.” His time at the State Attorney’s Office also taught him the importance of teamwork and the many people who contribute to the work of a prosecutor. “The SAO is a community. There are folks who have been there a long time and supported us in bringing safety to our community including support staff, victim witness counselors, paralegals and so many others. I am also forever grateful to the incredible law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly alongside me to ensure justice was brought to victims throughout Miami-Dade County.” Though he loved his work as a prosecutor, Kamoutsas was presented with an opportunity to represent the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) which offered greater financial stability. It was a difficult decision, but like many professionals, he ultimately chose to make a career move that would better support his family at that stage of his life. At the PBA, Kamoutsas joined the General Counsel’s Office, where he handled a broad range of legal matters including personnel issues, collective bargaining, wills and other matters affecting the organization and its members. In 2019, Kamoutsas received an offer from Richard Corcoran, who had become the Florida Commissioner of Education, to join his General Counsel’s Office. He accepted and went on to manage a range of legal matters including keeping schools open during COVID and the department’s response to mask mandate policies. During his time with the Department of Education, he held multiple leadership roles including Chief of Staff, General Counsel, Chief Litigator, Assistant General Counsel and Legislative Affairs. Then in 2023, Kamoutsas received an offer from Governor Ron DeSantis to be his Deputy Chief of Staff. In that role, he was able to draw upon his experience as prosecutor, attorney, and public servant. He also had the opportunity to work with State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle on issues affecting prosecutors and their staff, including compensation and retention. “Stasi’s time as an Assistant State Attorney, not only opened his vision and his experiences to the important role prosecutors play in protecting the people of a community but it also allowed him to interact, face-to-face, with crime victims furthering his understanding of the trauma they have faced,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “In each of his various public roles, and now as a college president, that empathy and understanding have provided a useful personal grasp of how policy and governmental decisions can impact individuals. His own journey—from humble beginnings to leading with compassion and integrity—reflects a deep commitment to family, community, and the transformative power of education, ideas he now hopes to impart to the students of Polk State College. He reminds us that service rooted in gratitude and hard work can uplift countless lives, and that true leadership begins with a heart focused on giving back.” “The State Attorney has been extremely supportive, and I have been able to work with her even more since I left the office. When she advocated pay increases for prosecutors and staff, I supported it and had direct contact with Governor DeSantis sharing my experience as a prosecutor trying to build a family on a prosecutor’s salary and how that impacts community safety.” After serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for two years, Kamoutsas was unanimously appointed by the State Board of Education in 2025 to serve as Florida's youngest Commissioner of Education. “Education has always been important to me because it is a way to better your life and that of your family. Through education, someone from humble beginnings can become successful and change the trajectory of their life. That was my experience as a kid who was raised by a single mom with three kids in a 780 square foot duplex.” In 2026, Kamoutsas was named the sixth President of Polk State College following a unanimous 5-0 vote by the District Board of Trustees. He was the sole recommendation of the Presidential Search Committee following a national search that attracted more than 100 applicants. “Now as President of Polk State College, I enjoy walking the campus and interacting with students. I like getting to know their names and their stories. I enjoy the small community feel we have here.” His own journey, from a family shaped by sacrifice to a career in law, public service and education, has reinforced his belief in the transformative power of education. “I believe that education is the great equalizer. Most of our students at Polk State College are Pell Grant eligible and often are the first in their families to get a higher education. We not only teach what's in the textbooks but also the skills they can put into practice. We believe in workforce education with hands-on experience. “At Polk State College, we encourage students to pursue their passions and careers with purpose. To do what they are called to do. I am humbled and honored to be able to help them achieve the American Dream.”