Akshay Desai, who studied medicine in India, has been made the chief of the Republican Party of Florida's finance committee.

"...I am grateful that Desai has agreed to accept this crucial role," said RPOF's chairperson Lenny Curry.

"In this election year, we need the resources for victory, and Desai's long history of work for the state and our party make him a proven leader. A.K. and I are ready to roll up our sleeves and win," a statement quoted Curry as saying.

Desai has been a member of the Florida State Board of Education since 2007. He received his medical degree in India, and earned his Master's in Public Health Administrative Medicine from the George Washington University.

Desai is currently president and CEO of Universal Health Care Group, which he founded in 2002, and serves the health care community through several associations. He previously served as commissioner and chairman of the Health Committee on the White House Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders 2005-08.