Deerfield Beach, Fla. — JM Family Enterprises Inc. (JM Family) announced that Sonya R. Deen has joined the company as vice president, Government Relations.

Deen joins JM Family with 13 years of political and governmental experience across the southeastern U.S. Prior to joining the company, Deen served as senior director of State Government Relations for Diageo, a manufacturer of premium alcoholic beverages. In her role there, she oversaw nine states’ government, trade and community relations activities. Prior to her role with Diageo, she served as a governmental consultant for the Tallahassee law firm of Skelding, Labasky, Daws and Cox, PA. In the mid 1990s, Deen served under Florida Secretary of State Sandra B. Mortham, overseeing press activities, special events and several heritage publications.

In her new role, Deen will manage JM Family’s legislative and regulatory agenda, representing the company before government agencies and working with key congressional and state leaders across the U.S.

Deen earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida State University in 1993. She recently served on the Business Board of Advisors for the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators and was a member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Committee. She is also a founding member of Tallahassee 25, a not-for-profit organization committed to helping children in the Tallahassee area.