Florida Virtual School names Sam Verghese Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent

Press release from Florida Virtual School

ORLANDO, Fla. —  Sam Verghese has been named the new chief executive officer and superintendent of Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and FlexPoint, effective July 1. 

Verghese, who is currently the chief operating officer and acting deputy superintendent of the organization, will take over for Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent Dr. Louis Algaze, who is retiring after a nearly 40-year career dedicated to Florida students. 

FLVS is the state’s only fully virtual public school district and serves more than 230,000 students each year through flexible learning options. The organization’s work supports public, private, charter, and homeschool families across Florida and extends nationally through FlexPoint.

“Florida Virtual School and FlexPoint have helped inform how online public education is delivered nationally,” said Linda Reiter, chair of the Florida Virtual School Board of Trustees. “Sam’s experience positions the organization to build on that work and continue meeting the needs of students and families.”

The announcement comes just weeks after Verghese was named a 2025 EdTech Chronicle Best in Education Award winner for Best Leader of a K-12 School/District. In 2024, he received the Florida Chamber Chair’s Award for his contributions to education and leadership across the state.

Verghese began his career as a classroom teacher and has continued to serve Floridians of all ages through his roles with the Florida House of Representatives, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Executive Office of the Governor, and as the Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs. He has also worked in the private sector, advising large technology companies such as Adobe, Salesforce, and Dell on education‑focused initiatives. 

“FLVS has helped shape what high‑quality virtual learning looks like at scale, and the focus ahead is on continuing to lead innovation thoughtfully, with students remaining at the center of every decision we make,” said Verghese. “I look forward to working alongside our educators and support teams to ensure students and families continue to have access to flexible, high‑quality learning options that fit their needs.”

Since joining FLVS in 2019, Verghese has helped lead the organization through a period of sustained growth and complexity, overseeing enterprise operations that support instruction, technology, finance, and workforce stability. His leadership has included guiding the organization through the COVID‑19 pandemic, strengthening operational continuity, and expanding cross‑agency collaboration, including a partnership with the Department of Juvenile Justice to support education for justice‑involved youth.

Verghese is an active member of the Florida Chamber Foundation and the Future of Work Advisory Board, which advocates for career and technical education programs aligned with the business needs of the future. 

Verghese holds a bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and a Master of Business Administration from Auburn University.