A native of Sarasota, Jon has had a passion for government and political affairs since high school, after participating in US Representative Andy Ireland’s Congressional Classroom as an intern. A Florida Certified General Contractor, Jon has been involved in the building industry for over thirty-five (35) years. During that time, he has owned several companies in the construction industry doing business as a contractor, remodeler, land developer, architectural principle, designer and real estate agent. Prior to the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, Jon worked with Sarasota County Government in the Planning and Development Services Department, serving as General Manager of Business Operations and the Manager of Land Development. During his tenure, he administered the Land Development Regulations, Community Development Districts, assisted staff in the review and revisions to the County’s 2050 Resource Management Area Plan, Code Enforcement, including the development of the Unlicensed/Unpermitted Task Force, and directed many quasi-judicial and legislative land regulation actions before the Board of County Commissioners. Currently, Jon is the Chief Executive Officer and Lobbyist of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, a national award-winning association. In his spare time, he serves as the Chairman for the Sarasota County and City of Sarasota’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committees, is a member of the Sarasota County Board of Zoning Appeals, serves on the Suncoast Technical College’s Carpentry Advisory Board, is Chairman of the Florida Home Builders Executive Officer Council, is a Regional Director of the National Association of Home Builders Executive Officer Council, and Executive Officer liaison to the Leading Suppliers Council for NAHB. He holds a BA from Eckerd College, and an MPA from the University of South Florida. Jon has been happily married for over thirty-six (36) years, has two daughters, and is a newly minted grandfather.