Age: 47
Family: wife, Carol, 2nd grade teacher at Lone Star Elementary; daughter, Caitlin, 14; son, Connor, 16.
Pets: Two poodles, Skipper and Scamp (yes, those are their real names).
Education: B.A. University of Florida; J.D. Cooley Law School, cum laude; LL.M. in admiralty, Tulane Law School
Admitted to the Bar: Louisiana in 1991, Florida in 1992
Employed by: Rumrell & Brock
Field of practice: Maritime, logistics, commercial and insurance litigation
Professional Organizations: The Jacksonville Bar Association; The Florida Bar Maritime Law Committee; Southeastern Admiralty Law Committee; The American Bar Association, past chair of the ABA Young Lawyers Division Admiralty Law Committee; Maritime Law Association; U.S. Propeller Club
Community Involvement: Pro bono counsel for St. Johns River Ferry Commission; Strategic Planning Committee for St. Johns River Ferry Task Force; developing Duval County Sports Foundation Inc.; Terry Parker High School Alumni Fund Inc. founding director; Academy of Coastal and Environmental Sciences Advisory Board at Terry Parker; Seacoast Christian Academy Athletics Booster Club vice president; Seacoast Charter Academy director and parent liaison; Arlington Triangle Committee task force for design and development of public parcel for community; Greater Arlington Civic Council vice president; National and Florida Society for Sons of the American Revolution, Jacksonville chapter, first vice president; 2006 state meeting keynote speaker, Commodore John D. Barry – Father of the American Navy; SAR Commemorative Ceremony keynote speaker, last naval battle of the American Revolution; Florida Society, Children of the American Revolution, Princess Malee chapter senior vice president; past president of the Harbour North Waterways Association; Harbor Cay Homeowners Association officer; Leadership Development Workshop Committee, JCCI Forward initiative on leadership within Jacksonville; Real Men Read volunteer reader at Spring Park Elementary; Greenscape, volunteer tree planting.
How did you become involved?
Most of the time all I did was call the organization or group and ask how I could get involved or help on a project that I heard about in the community.
How can someone else get involved?
Find your passion for something in the community then pick up the phone and call or send an email. Most groups are eager for help, but remember to follow through with your commitments and be willing to help in any way you can, big or small.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
I have learned that passion plus planning equals production. It always amazes me how a few impassioned and organized people can accomplish incredible goals for their group and their community, but it doesn’t happen overnight and it’s never by accident. Keeping the St. Johns River Ferry operating is a perfect example.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
“Sorry Please Thank You: Stories,” by Charles Yu