Arek Sarkissian got here to POLITICO Florida in December 2017 to cowl regulated industries in one of many quickest rising states within the nation.
Sarkissian served because the bureau chief for the Naples Day by day Information for greater than two years. Throughout his tenure, his investigative reporting on VISIT FLORIDA prompted the Legislature to go more durable contract restrictions. He additionally uncovered questionable tasks slipped into the state finances by lawmakers that have been subsequently rejected, saving taxpayers tens of millions of {dollars}.
Sarkissian was additionally the primary USA TODAY Community reporter on the scene of the June 2016 Pulse nightclub capturing in Orlando. He intently lined Gov. Rick Scott for the community throughout Hurricane Irma.
Beforehand, Sarkissian labored for The Gainesville Solar, the place his reporting led to the shutdown of a police division recognized internationally for working a velocity lure. This work led the Legislature to create a legislation that forbids police departments from relying mainly on site visitors ticket income.
Sarkissian grew up within the Detroit suburbs, and he graduated from the College of Arizona in 2003. He spent greater than three years designing two weekly newspapers in Arizona earlier than he was chosen by the Poynter Institute to participate in its annual Summer season Fellowship for Younger Journalists. From there, he lined crime in Savannah, Georgia, and metropolis authorities in Evansville, Indiana. He first got here to Florida in 2012 for a state authorities reporting job with The Tallahassee Democrat.