Biographical Information
City of Residence: Bradenton
Occupation: Attorney
Spouse: Julie Forrester of Bradenton
Child(ren): Michael, William, Jacqueline Anne
Education: Manatee Community College, A.A., 1986; University of Florida, B.A., Political Science, 1989, Pi Sigma Alpha, Political Science Honor Society, Phi Alpha Delta; University of Miami, J.D., 1992, Opinions editor, Res Ipsa Loquitor periodical
Born: April 16, 1966, Liberty, NY
Moved to Florida: 1969
Religious Affiliation: Catholic
Recreational Interest: exercise, family time, golf, reading
Legislative Service
Elected to the House in 2002, reelected subsequently
Affiliations
Bay Area Legislative Delegation, Chair 2006-2007
Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation 2002–present
Manatee County Public Schools Foundation, Honorary Advisory Council 1995-present
Mote Marine Laboratory, Trustee 2000-present
Manatee County Sheriff’s Advisory Council 1999-present
Mote Scientific Foundation, Trustee 1998-present
Economic Village Oversight Committee, Chairman 2000-2005
Manatee County Schools Foundation, Events Committee Chairman 1997-2005
Phil Galvano Golf Classic, Chairman 1997–2005
Select Committee for Private Property Rights 2005
Manatee County Legislative Delegation, Chairman 2003–2004
House for Public/Private Partnerships in Education, Speaker’s Liaison 2003
Highlights
Florida Sheriffs Association, Legislator of the Year 2009
The Florida ARC, Legislator of the Year 2009
Manatee County Bar, William C. Grimes Award for Lifetime Achievement in Community Service 2009
Florida Catholic Conference, Defender of Dignity 2008
Florida Medical Association, Legislator of the Year 2008
Florida Pharmacy Association, Legislator of the Year 2008
Florida Society of Ophthalmology, Legislator of the Year Award 2008
Healthy Families Leadership Award, Health Care Council of the Florida House 2008
Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida, Distinguished Alumni Award 2008
Legislator of the Year for Support of Water Restoration Action Plan 2008
Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Outstanding Leadership in the Creation of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority 2008
Outstanding Service & Dedication to UF in Leading the Gator Legislative Caucus 2008
Florida Children's Services Council, Stepping Up for Children Legislative Award 2007
Florida Legal Services, Assuring Equal Access to Justice Award 2007
Manatee County Farm Bureau, Friend of Agriculture Award 2007
Palmetto Youth Center, Citizenship in Government Award for Outstanding Contribution to Interracial Harmony and Multicultural Understanding 2007
Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, Distinguished Service Award 2007
Christian Coalition of Florida, Faith and Family Award 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Florida Association of School Social Workers, Legislator of the Year 2006
Florida Chamber of Commerce, Honor Roll 2006
Florida Statewide Advocacy Council, Legislator of the Year 2006
Tampa Bay Partnership, Chair's Cup for Excellence in Regionalism 2006
Association for Retarded Citizens, Herb Morgan Legislator of the Year 2005
Florida Coalition for Children, Legislative Appreciation Award 2005
National Wild Turkey Federation Manasara Osceolas Chapter, Legislative Award 2005
Professional Wreckers, Legislator of the Year 2005
University of Miami, Distinguished Alumnus 2005
American Heart Association, Legislative Award 2004
Florida Housing Coalition, Supporting Housing Needs of Low Income Families Award 2003-2004
Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons, Appreciation Award 2004
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Award for Legislative Leadership 2004
The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Distinguished Service Award 2004
PACE Center for Girls of Manatee County, Legislative Leadership Award 2003
Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida, Freshman of the Year 2003
Renewable Energy Education Project, Legislative Award 2003
Republican Executive Committee of Manatee County, Legislator of the Year 2003