Mr. Sam Verghese

Sam Verghese is president and chief executive officer of Florida Virtual School (FLVS) and FlexPoint. His primary responsibility is setting the strategy and vision for the organization, which develops and delivers more than 200 online courses to more than 230,000 students annually in kindergarten through grade 12. Appointed by the FLVS Board of Trustees, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the more than 3,900-employee organization and is responsible for the overall performance of FLVS, with a focus on improving learning outcomes.

FLVS provides a comprehensive, award-winning curriculum to public, private, charter, and homeschool families. Verghese oversees all aspects of the organization, including academics, operations, technology, finance, human resources, marketing, communications, and business development. He leads major initiatives to expand the organization’s national footprint through FlexPoint and oversees partnerships with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to support a unified education system for at-risk youth.

Verghese works closely with senior leadership to cultivate a high-performing, mission-driven culture through leadership development, professional growth opportunities, and employee engagement.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in religion and psychology from Liberty University in 2004, Verghese spent several years as a classroom teacher, helping middle and high school students at North Florida Christian School reach their potential. He quickly realized he could use his talents to serve others on a larger scale and found his way into state politics.

From 2005 to 2010, Verghese served as deputy director of House campaigns and regional coalitions director for the Republican Party of Florida. He continued his public service through leadership roles with the Florida House of Representatives, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and the Office of Gov. Rick Scott. In 2014, he was appointed as the youngest Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs in state history and was later confirmed by the Florida Senate - another opportunity that perfectly aligned with his commitment to advocating for others.

In 2016, Verghese began applying his public-sector experience to help private-sector clients. He focused on helping Fortune 500 companies such as Adobe, Salesforce, and Dell develop technology solutions to revolutionize educational practices. 

In 2019, Verghese joined FLVS as chief operating officer and deputy superintendent. His leadership during this period guided the organization through unprecedented growth and positioned it for continued success through new programs and intellectual property that support both FLVS and FlexPoint.

When he’s not innovating at work, 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.

The husband and father of three is also an active member of his church, plays guitar in the church band, volunteers as a Sunday school teacher, and champions funding for mental health programs and initiatives. 

Recognition

• May 2026, FLVS Names Sam Verghese Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent
• April 2025, 2025 EdTech Chronicle Best in Education Award, EdTech Chronicle
• October 2024, Florida Chamber Chair’s Recipient Award, Florida Chamber Foundation

Education

• Master of Business Administration, Auburn University
• Bachelor of Science, Liberty University