Age: 41
Family: My wife, Traci, and children Claire (14) and Peter (11)
Pets: Henry (Smooth Collie), Libby (Bradford County Dingo), Sesame (Indian Ringneck Parakeet)
Education: Florida State University (B.S. Political Science, Minor Biology, 1993); Florida State University College of Law (magna cum laude, 1998)
Admitted to the Bar: 1998
Employed by: Sole practitioner
Field of practice: Land use, real estate, environmental
Professional Organizations: The Jacksonville Bar Association, Urban Land Institute (ULI), Florida Planning & Zoning Association, Northeast Florida Builders Association
Community Involvement: I have been active in the promotion of quality of life issues for Jacksonville, particularly on the issue of public access to the St. Johns River, with help from many friends in the kayaking, stand-up paddling and windsurfing community. We have been fortunate to see Mayor Brown work to open substantial new areas of our waterways to kayaking and other small craft. I serve on ULI North Florida’s committee that sets its programs for the year, and have chaired The Jacksonville Bar Association’s Land Use and Environmental Law section for the past two years. I have also provided pro bono service for real estate cases through Jacksonville Area Legal Aid.
How did you get involved?
Having worked with the City of Jacksonville’s City Council for a number of years and having seen how great the St. Johns River is for recreation, I basically made river access a “client.” As it turned out, there were several others out there who shared my passion, including Mayor Brown and the Jacksonville Waterways Commission.
How can someone else get involved?
Talk with your district Council member about the things you see on the ground in your neighborhood, even the little things. You would be surprised at how little the mayor and Council members hear from constituents about things other than the crisis du jour or the one or two issues that are the focus of the media at that given moment. How can our City be made better? Ideas that cost relatively little or no money will be better received, of course.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
The St. Johns River is pretty well-liked and everyone loves the idea of more water access, but more than a few are a little anxious about getting in. The water is naturally brown and is just fine for boating and getting wet, especially in the main part of the river. Give it a try!
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“The Power Broker,” a biography of Robert Moses, by Robert A. Caro