Mark Flynn Email & Phone Number

Tampa/Orlando/Tallahassee

Operates as an independent consult for a variety of issues dealing with local, state and federal government relations as the principal of Pathfinder Communications, LLC, which was established in 1993. Examples of areas of experience and the clients involved are: Healthcare: CVSCaremark, CIGNA Health Care, Eckerd Corporation, National Insurance Services, Pan American Life Insurance Company, Professional Association of Independent Insurance Distributors & Florida Health Care Plans. Economic Development: Coastal Corporation, the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, The Tampa Bay Partnership for Economic Development, the Tampa Port Authority and the Tampa Chamber of Commerce.Local & Regional Issues: The Mosaic Company with a major local permitting issue, the City of St. Petersburg on regional water rights issues and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.Among services performed are advocacy campaigns that include conducting research, writing position papers, drafting legislation and developing strategic action plans. Appropriations expertise including writing budget language and working with all aspects of the appropriations process and other lobbying related activities. Media relations including experience as a spokesperson interacting with print media and performing television and radio interviews.

Orlando, Florida Area

204 S. Monroe Street, Suite 201, Tallahassee, Florida 32301-1800

Served as the founding President & CEO of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance. His primary duties included lobbying and making presentations to the Florida legislature, managing up to five lobbyists and a public relations consulting firm and was actively involved in political campaigns as an officer of three political action committees. In 2012, he conducted a series of summits across Florida focused on criminal justice reform. These unprecedented meetings brought hundreds of people together in a consensus building exercise on legislative reform initiatives. Those attending included legislators, representatives from the Supreme Court and Florida departments of Corrections and Juvenile Justice, state attorneys, public defenders, sheriffs, private sector service providers, and others.

Orlando

As Executive Director of Bridges of America, Mark led an effort to change the emphasis in corrections away from warehousing prisoners and toward developing and funding diversion and reentry programs proven more effective at reducing recidivism and saving tax dollars. Involved with analyzing and ranking legislative and other candidates and organizing candidate forums in different cities in Florida.

As Executive Director of the Smart Justice Council at Associated Industries of Florida, Mark began the process of bringing Florida’s business community involvement into the criminal justice arena. The Council focused on promoting programs to reduce inmate recidivism and efforts to streamline the corrections system to save tax dollars. The Council later evolved into the Smart Justice Alliance.

Tallahassee, Florida

Developing legislative strategies, secure funding & other lobbying services for clients including the City of Fort Myers, Collier County, Hodges University, Hope Hospice, HPC Healthcare, Inc., Lee County, the Salvation Army & Westcare.

Regional representative for AIF in the Tampa/Orlando areas. Worked on membership and member relations.As a lobbyist concentrated on economic development appropriations, transportation & growth management including the creation of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority. Drafted bylaws & operating procedures for the creation of the seven county Bay Area Legislative Delegation. Managed AIF’s Florida Maritime Council focused on seaport security issues.

Tampa, Florida

Managed numerous advocacy campaigns working with local, regional & state government including cities, authorities & a water management district. Represented private sector clients in the areas of environmental permitting, construction and health care. Represented the Tampa Port Authority.

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Worked with school administrators on state issues including salaries & retirements benefits. Passed major economic development legislation that brought millions of dollars of venture capital to Florida.

Tampa, Florida

Staffed the MacDill Response Team in response to the Base Closure Commission decision to close MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. Wrote Tampa’s official response to the Commission & worked with the Florida Congressional Delegation in successfully stopping the closure. Lobbied the Florida Legislature on transportation funding issues. Directed the activities of the Tony Jannus Award, the most prestigious international recognition for contributions to commercial aviation in the world, including the candidate selection process & numerous related events.

Clearwater, Florida

Successfully led a multi-year lobbying effort to create a seventh district of the Florida Department of Transportation to be headquartered in the Tampa Bay area.Directed the activities of the Tampa Bay Forum, a five county business coalition created to develop regional business community consensus on economic development, transportation & other issues. Managed the Presidents Council, comprised of the fourteen presidents of the local chambers of commerce in Pinellas County.

Tallahassee, Florida

Drafted legislation imposing specific duties for law enforcement agencies receiving the written report of a missing child. Worked with John Walsh in passing the first “missingchild” legislation in the country.Performed other duties related to the legislature including handling constituent issues.