Guide to
POLK COUNTY’S
LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION 2013
Members: The recent end of the 2013 legislative session marked the beginning of a new resurgence of partnership and camaraderie within the Polk County delegation. With overwhelming support in both the House of Representatives and Senate, Polk County was able to see several much needed projects come to fruition. The Polk County Legislative Delegation is as strong as ever and looks to connect with their constituents. Strong connections help legislators keep a pulse on the district, make better policy decisions, solve constituents’ problems, and gain consensus. For those same reasons, your Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce has produced this Polk County Delegation booklet to help connect citizens and encourage engagement. Your connection to the elected delegates from Polk County helps each party work together to hold thoughtful and civil discussions on topics and issues in our community. The Chamber is thankful for the support provided by our legislative leaders and look forward to working with our Polk County delegation to create more jobs while at the same time creating a vibrant and robust community. We thank all our Polk Delegation members for all their hard work and dedication to advancing the cause of both the Lakeland Area Chamber and our community. Sincerely,
Jeff Payne Government Affairs Chair - Lakeland Chamber
Senator Denise Grimsley Senator Kelli Stargel Senator Darren Soto
Representative Ben Albritton Representative Neil Combee Representative Mike La Rosa Representative Seth McKeel Representative John Wood
Senator Denise Grimsley | District 21 A fifth-generation Floridian, Denise Grimsley was born and raised in the Florida’s Heartland. She graduated from South Florida Community College, Polk Community College and Warner Southern College with degrees in Nursing and Organizational Management. She later earned an MBA from the University of Miami. A proud mom and grandmom, Sen. Grimsley has enjoyed a career in nursing, as well as managing her father’s small business when he fell ill. It was after encountering run-arounds and red-tape from government agencies that she decided to become active in public service. In November, 2004, Sen. Grimsley ran for and was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. She had the privilege of being the first female chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Once she was termed out of the Florida House, Sen. Grimsley ran and was elected to serve in the Florida Senate. Currently, she is the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. Senate District 21 encompasses parts of Polk, St. Lucie, Martin, Highlands, Osceola, and Okeechobee Counties. During her legislative career, Sen. Grimsley has been recognized by a variety of organizations, from Florida Citrus Mutual to the Florida Chamber of Commerce, for her consistent efforts on behalf of the Heartland.
District Offices: 205 South Commerce Avenue, Suite A Sebring, FL 33870 (863) 386-6016 212 East Stuart Avenue Lake Wales, FL 33853 (863) 679-4847
Legislative Assistants: Larry Ford and Marty Mielke Andrea Jahna and Hilary Webb Tallahassee Office: 306 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 (850) 487-5021
Senator Darren Soto | District 14 Darren Soto was born in February 1978 in New York of both Puerto Rican and Italian descent. Senator Soto earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics at Rutgers University and attended law school at George Washington University in DC. Senator Soto is a commercial and civil rights attorney proudly practicing law in Central Florida. He is an ardent defender of civil rights and is committed to rendering legal services pro bono to the community. In 2006, he was named class counsel in the federal class action brought on behalf of Hispanic voters against the City of Kissimmee in the U.S. District Court. Senator Soto is also a former member of the Civil Service Board for the City of Orlando, and held the positions of Treasurer of the Orange County Democrats and Vice President of Communications for the Orange County Young Democrats (YD’s). Senator Soto was elected to the Florida House of Representatives to serve as State Representative to District 49 in a special election in 2007, and was subsequently re-elected in 2008 with 65% of the vote and again in 2010 with 75% of the vote. He has passed several important pieces of legislation including the Luis RiveraOrtega Street Racing Act, the Firefighter Death Benefit Bill (inspired by the death of Volusia County firefighter John C. Curry), and the Bus Driver Notification Bill. Senator Soto was elected to the Florida Senate to serve as State Senator to District 14 in 2012. He is currently serving as Vice Chair on the Judiciary Committee. Senator Soto is serving on two Appropriations Committees; Criminal and Civil Justice and General Government. He is also on Community Affairs, Environmental Preservation and Conservation, Ethics and Elections, Select Committee on Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining.
District Office: Kissimmee City Hall 101 North Church Street, Suite 305 Kissimmee, FL 34741 (407) 846-5187 Legislative Assistant: Christine Aleknavich
Secretary: Tracy Brooks and Cecilia Figueroa Tallahassee Office: 220 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 (850) 487-5014
Senator Kelli Stargel | District 15 Senator Kelli Stargel was elected to the Florida Senate in November of 2012 after serving four years in the Florida House of Representatives. Being a civicminded, small business woman and an involved parent has truly enabled Sen. Stargel to represent her constituents and their concerns. Senator Stargel is a sixth generation Floridian. She and her husband, Circuit Judge John Stargel, have five children ranging in age from 28 to 15 years old. Senator Stargel grew up in the Tampa area where she met her husband. In 1988, they moved to Tallahassee where she supported the family while her husband attended FSU Law School. After law school, the family settled in Lakeland in 1992 where she has managed their family real estate business. Senator Stargel has served at her church, her children’s schools, and on various community boards. She has also been involved with the Republican Women’s Club of Lakeland, is on the University of South Florida Educational Advisory Board, and was appointed to the Education Commission for the States and the Commission on Marriage and Families Support Initiatives. Senator Stargel has been assigned to various committees in Tallahassee and serves as the Chair of the Regulated Industries Committee in the Senate. Senator Stargel has received a number of awards from various organizations over her time in the Legislature. Some of the highest recognitions range from the Florida Chamber’s Distinguished Advocate Award for 2011 and 2012, to the Foundation for Florida’s Future (Education) A+ each year; to the Associated Builders and Contractors’ Friend of Free Enterprise Award each year (100%); to the Florida Catholic Conference – Defensor Vitae Award in 2011; and United States Digital Learning Association Eagle Award in 2013. District Office: 902 S. Florida Avenue, Suite 102 Lakeland, FL 33803 (863) 284-4430 Legislative Assistants: Rachel Barnes, Chris Dowdy and Samantha Hartman
Tallahassee Office: 324 Senate Office Building 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100 (850) 487-5015
Representative Ben Albritton | District 56 Representative Albritton was born in Florida’s Heartland in 1968. He is the fifth generation of a line of farmers, ranchers, citrus growers and businessmen. Representative Albritton graduated from Hardee High School in 1986 and then attended Florida Southern College where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Citrus/Business in 1990. After college, Rep. Albritton went to work in his family Agriculture businesses. In 1993, Rep. Albritton married Missy Schrader of Wauchula, and they began the rewarding task of starting and raising a family in rural Hardee County. They have three children, Rebecca (15), Joshua (12), and Ryan (7). They invest daily very heavily in the lives of their children and in their Christian faith. Their family are lifetime members of First Christian Church of Wauchula, where Rep. Albritton has served as a Elder since 2003. He is a past board member and President of the Peace River Citrus Growers Association, past board member and Chair of the East Charlotte County Drainage District, and a current grower member of Florida Citrus Mutual. In 2005 Gov. Crist appointed Rep. Albritton to serve on the Florida Citrus Commission, and he was subsequently reappointed for a second term by Gov. Bush in 2008. He served as Vice-Chair of the Domestic Marketing Committee in 2005, Chairman of the Admin & Budget Committee in 2006, and was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Florida Citrus Commission in 2007, a post he held until 2010. Representative Albritton serves on the Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee, Business & Professional Regulation Subcommittee, State Affairs Committee, Appropriations Committee. He is also Chair of the Ag & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee. District Office 150 North Central Avenue Bartow, FL 33830-4742 Phone: (863) 534-0073 Arcadia Office DeSoto County, FL Phone: (863) 993-4536 Legislative Assistant: Kevin Cleary
District Secretary: Karen Whaley Capitol Office 222 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Phone: (850) 717-5056
Representative Neil Combee | District 39 Representative Combee is a lifelong resident of Polk County. He has been married to Linda Weatherford Combee for over 30 years. They have two grown sons, Jerad & Beau. Representative Combee attended Polk State College and Florida State College, and works in Agribusiness and Real Estate Sales. Past Public Service includes: Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Member, 2005-2012; elected Polk County Commissioner 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000; Florida Assoc. of Counties Board Member; Lakeland Area Mass Transit District; Myregion.org Polk County Representative; Polk Transportation Planning Organization. He is a member of National Rifle Association and Polk County Cattlemen’s Association.
District Office 108 West Polk Street Auburndale, FL 33823-3428 Phone: (863) 968-5666 Legislative Assistant: Barbara Blasingame
District Secretary: Lori Allen Capitol Office 1302 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Phone: (850) 717-5039
Representative Mike La Rosa | District 42 Representative Mike La Rosa is a native Floridian. His family moved to Osceola County from South Florida over 15 years ago. His mother is a first generation Cuban immigrant whose family fled the Castro regime. After attending local high school in Osceola County, Rep. La Rosa attended the University of Central Florida where he received his bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal Communications and a minor in Political Science. Shortly thereafter, Rep. La Rosa, along with his older brother Joseph, formed their own joint businesses of La Rosa Development and La Rosa Realty, specializing in commercial real estate development and residential sales. Since its inception, La Rosa Development has become one of Central Florida’s largest commercial development companies in the central Florida area. The landmark La Rosa Office Building of Celebration, also known as Palm Plaza, and the construction of a multi-family resort community targeted toward second home buyers, are proud development accomplishments of the La Rosa brothers. Growing a small business; meeting payrolls; and facing economic challenges on a daily basis have become valuable skill sets that have led to Rep. La Rosa’s success. November 6, 2012, Rep. La Rosa was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. He represents District 42 which includes parts of Osceola and Polk counties. Representative La Rosa also serves as the Chairman of the Osceola County Legislative Delegation. Representative La Rosa and his wife Holly have three young sons: Landon, Aiden and Liam. District Office 1224 10th Street Saint Cloud, FL 34769-3343 Phone: (407) 891-2555 201 West Central Avenue Lake Wales, FL 33853-4013 Phone: (863) 679-4905
Legislative Assistant: Rebekah Hurd District Secretary: Stephen Gately and Sherry Goad Capitol Office 1302 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Phone: (850) 717-5042
Representative Seth McKeel | District 40 Representative Seth McKeel is among the fifth generation in his family to call Lakeland home. He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November of 2006. Representative McKeel is the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee as well as the Chairman of the Joint Legislative Budget Commission. He also serves as the Chairman of the Polk County Legislative Delegation. He formerly served on the Lakeland City Commission from January of 2001 until December of 2005. Representative McKeel is Vice President for Strategic Business Development for MAXIMIZE Social Media, and Vice President of Lakeland Properties & Management, Inc., his family’s real estate management company. He is formerly the Director of the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority, and his prior professional experience includes work with Heritage Equities Incorporated and Publix Super Markets, Inc. Representative McKeel is married to Kim who also works in the real estate business as a RealtorŽ with Keller Williams Realty. They have one son, Seth, III and one daughter, Caroline. An alumnus of Lakeland Senior High School, Rep. McKeel is a proud Gator and an honors graduate of the University of Florida.
District Office 4250 South Florida Avenue, Suite 4 Lakeland, FL 33813-1670 Phone: (863) 647-4896 Legislative Assistant: Joseph Clements
District Secretary: Catherine Fraser Capitol Office 222 The Capitol 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Phone: (850) 717-5040
Representative John Wood | District 41 Representative John Wood has a lifelong commitment to public service. From his youth as an Eagle Scout to his current volunteer endeavors, he is dedicated to serving the people of Polk County. Rep. Wood was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 2008. He proudly represents District 41, which encompasses northeastern Polk County. He was born in Polk County and spent his youth in Winter Haven. Representative Wood was educated in Polk County schools and graduated from Santa Fe High School. He continued his education at Georgia Tech and the University of Florida. He finished his bachelor’s degree in Economics at Columbia University in 1974. He went on to earn a J.D. from Florida State University in 1977 and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1978. As a builder, real estate attorney and local businessman, Rep. Wood has helped his family build a thriving business in Winter Haven. He and his family have built homes and apartments in Polk County for many years. As the C.E.O of John Wood Enterprises, he understands the importance of responsible government policy to promote private sector job growth. In 2007, Rep. Wood was recognized by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Fred Lewis for his volunteer activities as a pro bono attorney for Florida Rural Legal Services. Of his many achievements, Rep. Wood is most proud to be the father to his two wonderful adult daughters, Malloy and Johanna, and grandfather to Oliver and Bennett. Representative Wood chairs the Health Innovation Subcommittee in the Florida House of Representatives. Additionally, he serves on the Health and Human Services Committee, the Select Committee on PPACA, and the Health Care Appropriations and Energy and Utilities Subcommittees. District Office 20 Third Street Southwest, Suite 300 Winter Haven, FL 33880-2905 Phone: (863) 298-5300 Legislative Assistant: Emily Nance
District Secretary: Sarah Chevrier Capitol Office 214 House Office Building 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300 Phone: (850) 717-5041
Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce PO Box 3607 Lakeland, FL 33802 (863) 688-8551 LakelandChamber.com