The values and education I received at Saint Leo not only propelled me forward professionally but also deepened my commitment to servant leadership. In 2018, I had the distinct honor of serving as the university’s commencement speaker—a full-circle moment that reflected the transformative power of the Saint Leo experience.

My journey continued as a member of the Board of Trustees (2016), where I chaired the Student Affairs Committee and later served as Secretary and Board Chairman. During my tenure as chairman, I developed and implemented the “6 R’s” strategy—a guiding framework that played a critical role in leading the university off of probation and positioning it for a stronger future.

I partnered closely with the president’s staff to make difficult but necessary decisions that were instrumental in restoring our accreditation and rebuilding trust among students, faculty, and staff. We focused on elevating the university’s profile by cultivating relationships with key regional leaders and drawing on my experience as a state representative to effectively guide us through the legislative appropriations process in Tallahassee.