Chris Hagan formed Gilmore Hagan Partners LLC in May with veteran lobbyist Jim Gilmore. Their many clients include Hillwood, the developer of AllianceFlorida at Cecil Commerce Center, and The PARC Group, which is developing Nocatee and eTown. Hagan also remains on the Jacksonville Planning Commission. He started his consulting career nine years ago.
I am a consultant and lobbyist. I work on business development, economic development incentives and specific lobbying issues.
The economy is thriving. Elected officials in the city and the state are putting in great programs to incentivize businesses to come to Northeast Florida.
I started in 2009 working for the Northeast Florida Builders Association as the governmental affairs director. In 2013, I accepted a position with Advanced Disposal as director of governmental affairs and municipal marketing for Florida and Southeast Georgia. Next, I transitioned into work for Akerman as the Jacksonville public policy director. In October 2017, I started Hagan Partners, then merged with Jim Gilmore, forming Gilmore Hagan Partners.
When I see people, companies and businesses in need of getting past hurdles, I sleep better knowing I can help them so they can do what they do best – running their business.
I think it’s important for me to meet someone new every day, and I try to do that. I love building relationships and new friendships.
I don’t think my industry is going to change that much because speaking with someone one-on-one and having that personal relationship will never go away. Trust is so important. Laws and policy will change, but it is my job to stay on top of these new laws and provide my clients with the best possible advice. This exercise will not change.
I’ve been on the planning commission for seven years. We have a great group of commissioners. We have different backgrounds, which makes it a unique group. When I started on the planning commission, I was green, but I had people helping me along the way. I think it’s important that when you come on the planning commission you aren’t an expert in land use because if you are, then you feel like you know everything. It’s hard to learn when you feel like you know everything.
Spending time with my wife, Rebekah, and my three boys – Gavin, Graham and Fore – is the light of my day. We go to their football and T-ball games and, when I have time to myself, I love golfing. I also do a lot of offshore fishing and spearfishing. That’s something I enjoy doing with my dad and hope some day to do with my boys.
I grew up in the Ortega area, which is where we live now. I went to St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School, Stockton Elementary and then St. Johns Country Day School in Orange Park for fifth grade until I graduated. Then I went to Brevard College in North Carolina and played soccer for two years. I had a couple of knee surgeries so I thought it was time to come home. I later transferred to Flagler College and graduated in 2005.
In five years, I’d love to continue running a successful consulting business. At some point, if God opens the door for me, I’d like running for public office but the time has to be right for me and my family.