Janet Owen is the director of government affairs and associate general counsel for the University of North Florida.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
“I am responsible for the government affairs program for the university, advocating for legislation and appropriation issues. I oversee the federal lobbying. I work with the City, Chamber of Commerce and elected officials to communicate what the university can do for them and look for opportunities to work together.”
HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN THERE?
Owen was hired as counsel in 1994 and her duties expanded to include governmental affairs in 1998.
WHAT’S REWARDING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“Building relationships and achieving any legislation — money for buildings or operations — that helps make the university a better place. Any small piece of that project is exciting. I skip to work every morning.”
WHAT’S CHALLENGING ABOUT IT?
“Before every session starts you know what you’d like to accomplish. Sometimes you are in control but mostly you’re not. I work hard to get close to our goals but every year the slate is wiped clean. The goal is to establish relationships so others are as committed to UNF as you are.”
WHY WORK AT THE UNIVERSITY?
“UNF is such an exciting institution made up of incredibly creative people that are committed to providing the highest quality education for students and to fruitful relations with the community. Their commitment to students excites me.”
HOMETOWN
Jacksonville.
EDUCATION
She has a law degree from Stetson University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.
WHY PURSUE THE LEGAL PROFESSION?
“I knew I wanted to go to law school, but I wasn’t convinced I wanted to be a lawyer. Business administration seemed interesting to me because of the myriad of courses.”
BEFORE UNF
Owen began her career as an attorney at the now-defunct law firm of Brant, Moore, Sapp, Macdonald and Wells. When wedding bells rang, Owen and her husband Ron moved to Orlando where he practiced law. A year later, the couple moved back to Jacksonville.
AFFILIATIONS
Owen is on the alumni board of Episcopal High School. She is also a member of St. Johns Cathedral and the Jacksonville Bar Association. Last year she served as the chairperson of the state issues task force chair under the Chamber of Commerce’s Government Affairs Committee.
WHAT WILL YOU DO AS CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE THIS YEAR?
“My goal is to keep it exciting and keep attendance up. For the monthly meetings I line up guest speakers and compile reports from the federal, state and local task force chairs, the Duval Delegation office and from the congressional office staff. This year we are putting on Hob Nob [a networking function for politicians and constituents]. I helped coordinate Jacksonville Day in Tallahassee with the City and the mayor’s office and did a big thank you dinner after the session was completed to recognize their support. Participation was big. I also develop consensus agendas for federal and state issues, lobby them and report to members on the progress. Members enjoy networking. We want to foster that and grow it and not lose momentum but build on it.”
RESIDES
Southside. She was two grown stepchildren.
HOBBIES
Golf or “anything on the water” — sailing, fishing, skiing, floating on an innertube. Mystery novels and suspense films also catch her attention. When dining out, her pick is Bistro Aix. At home, she enjoys watching “The West Wing.”
FIFTEEN MINUTES
“My brush with greatness was the same as my brush with a hero. I met Archbishop [and human rights activist] Desmond Tutu by virtue of working at UNF. It was phenomenal; he’s accomplished so many things.”
— by Monica Chamness