Biographical Information
City of Residence: Coconut Creek
Occupation: Executive Director - Resource Recovery Board
Spouse: Rebecca O'Hara of Tallahassee
Child(ren): Riley, Noah Shane
Education: Santa Fe Junior College, A.A., 1970; Florida International University, B.A., 1974
Born: February 26, 1951, Brooklyn, NY
Military: U.S. Army 1969-1970
Moved to Florida: 1969
Religious Affiliation: Jewish
Recreational Interest: sports
Legislative Service
Elected to the House in 1998, reelected subsequently
Democratic Fiscal Council Lead 2004-2006
Other Public Services
City of Coconut Creek Mayor, Vice Mayor, City Commission 1988-1998
Democratic Leadership Council, State of Florida Chairperson
State Legislative Advisory Board, DLC
Affiliations
The Florida League of Cities Legislative Appreciation Award Recipient 2005
Broward Alliance, Treasurer 1998, Chairperson 2000
Broward County Democratic Executive Committee
Broward County Resource Recovery Board
Broward County School Board Consultant Review Committee and Blue Ribbon Committee
Broward County Welfare Reform Committee, Chair
Broward County Young Democrats, past President
Broward Economic Development Committee, Executive Board
Broward Economic Development Council, Treasurer, Minority Business Development Co-Chair, Sports Development Committee Vice Chair
Broward Homebound, Program Director
Broward League of Cities, Welfare-to-Work Committee, Co-Chair
Broward Regional Health Planning Council
Broward Welfare Reform Committee, Planning Committee, Accountability Committee, and Job Retention Committee
Broward Work Force Development Board, Vice Chair, One-Stop Committee
Coconut Creek Democratic Club
Department of Children and Family Services, Child Care Advisory Committee
HRS District 10, Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Committee
Keiser Career Institute, Advisory Board
North Broward Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors and President
North West Medical Center, Board of Directors
Seniors Foundation of Northwest Broward, Margate
SOS Children's Village, Board of Directors
The New Broward Alliance, Secretary, Special Division Co-Chair
Highlights
The Florida Association of Food Banks, "Legislative Leadership Award" 2004
The Florida Housing Coalition, Legislative Honoree 2003, 2004
Florida Silver-Haired Legislature, "Favorite Friendly Legislator Award" 2004
City of Coconut Creek, Wall of Fame 2003
City of Miami Beach, Distinguished Service Award and Appreciation 2003
Dade County League of Cities, Appreciation Award 2003
Florida Association of Counties, "County Champion" 2002
Florida Audubon Society, "Champion of the Everglades" August 2002
Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged, "Legislator of the Year" 2001, 2002
Florida Trust for Public Land, "Environmental Leader" Summer 2002
Florida League of Conservation Voters, "Leadership Silver Star" Award 2001
The Florida Bar Association, President's Award 2001
Broward Community College, Competitive Edge Award-Presidential Leadership Program 2000
Broward County Public Schools Vocational, Adult & Community Education Public Official of the Year 2000
City College-Ft. Lauderdale, Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters 2000
Florida Association of Technical Center Educators, Legislator of the Year 2000
Florida Petroleum Marketers Association, Chairman's Award 2000
Florida Superintendent Association, Legislator of the Year Award 2000
ACE of Florida, Public Official of the Year 1999
Family Central, Child Advocate of the Year 1999
Florida League of Cities, Defender of Home Rule Award 1999
Broward Chamber of Commerce, Small Businessman of the Year 1997
City of Hope, Humanitarian of the Year 1997
Broward Economic Development Council, Spirit of Broward Award 1995
Child Care Connection, Governmental Person of the Year 1993
Florida Community Education Foundation, Man of the Year 1991