Personal & Career

Legislative Service

• Elected to the Senate in 2018, reelected subsequently

• House of Representatives, 2016-2018

Other Public Service

• Homeland Security Advisory Council, Vice Chair

• Electoral College, Florida member, 2016, 2020, 2024

• Sarasota County Planning Commission, Chairman

• Florida Sports Foundation Board of Directors, member

• Florida State University Board of Trustees, member

• The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), President, appointed and awaiting Senate confirmation

Honors and Awards

• Keiser University, Distinguished Leadership Award, 2025

• Take Stock in Children, Champion of Education, 2022, 2025

• Associated Industries of Florida, 100% Voting Record, 2024

• Florida Education Association, Unity Award, 2024

• Florida Farm Bureau, Appreciation, 2023

• Florida Chamber of Commerce, Honor Roll, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023

• Florida Swimming Pool and Spa Association, Champion, 2022

• Film Florida, Legislative Star, 2022

• Florida Education Association, Friend of Public Education, 2021, 2022

• GCSAA, Legislator of the Year, 2022

• Florida Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Advocate, 2018, 2019, 2021

• Florida School Boards Association, Legislator of the Year, 2021

• American Conservative Union Foundation, Conservative Excellence Award, 2021

• Florida League of Cities, Legislative Appreciation, 2021

• Florida Homebuilders Association, Champion of Housing, 2019, 2021

• Big Brothers Big Sisters, Legislative Champion, 2020, 2021

• Association of Florida Community Developers, Legislator of the Year, 2020

• Nakomis Venice Osprey Republican Club, Statesman of the Year, 2020

• Florida Homebuilder Association, Senator of the Year, 2019

• Fraternal Order of Police, Senator of the Year, 2019

• Small County Coalition, Legislative Appreciation Award, 2019

• Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, Representative of the Year, 2019

• Manufacturers Association of Florida, Legislator of the Year, 2019

• Florida Animal Control Association, Animal Ally Award, 2019

• Associated Industries of Florida, Champion for Business, 2018, 2019

• Building Industry Association, Defender of Housing, 2019

• Americans for Prosperity, Champion of Economic Freedom, 2018

• Florida Retail Association, Retail Champion

• U.S. Term Limits, Champion of Term Limits

• Florida Gulf Coast University, Appreciation

Affiliations

• University of South Florida, Community Leadership Council

Biographical Information

Occupation:Certified Public AccountantSpouse:Sydney Spence of Citrus Hills, FLChildren:Spencer, Jack Ryan, ElleEducation:

• Florida State University, B.S., 1999

• University of South Florida, M.B.A., 2003

Born:in Tampa, Florida

Religious Affiliation:Roman Catholic

Recreation:College football, mountaineering, heli-skiing, concerts