Senator, Florida State Senate, District 17, 2012-2016

Speaker Pro Tempore, Florida State House of Representatives, 2010-2012

Representative, Florida State House of Representatives, 2005-2012

Deputy Majority Whip, Florida State House of Representatives, 2006-2008

Candidate, Florida State House of Representatives, District 45, 2002

Board Member, Board of Control for Southern Regional Education, present

Florida Senate Representative, Education Commission of the States, present

Former Member, Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Florida State Senate

Former Member, Education Pre-K-12 Committee, Florida State Senate

Former Member, Ethics and Elections, Florida State Senate

Former Member, Fiscal Policy Committee, Florida State Senate

Administrator/Educator, present

Board Member, David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts, present

Board Member, Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, present

Former Board Member, Bayonet Point Regional Medical Center

Chair, Creation Foundation, 1998-2000

Chair, Dayspring Academy for Education and Arts, 1998-2000

Board Member, Hudson Community Resource Center, 1996-1998

Board Member, Hudson SeaFest, 1998

Awards:

Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation, Chairman, 2013-2014;
Bay Area Legislative Delegation, Vice Chairman, 2013;
Hillsborough County Legislative Delegation, Vice Chairman, 2013;
Pasco County Legislative Delegation, Chairman, 2008;
Pasco County Legislative Delegation, Vice Chairman, 2007;
Florida Healthcare Association, Legislator of the Year Award;
American Conservative Union, "Defender of Liberty" Award;
FHCA Legislator of the Year Award, 2005;
Florida Coalition for Public School Options, Florida Champion of School Choice Award, 2010;
Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mentoring Award, 2010;
Florida Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Advocate Award, 2010;
Associated Industries of Florida, Legislator of the Year Award, 2010;
Alliance for Global Narcotics Training Ad Majorem Award, 2010;
Florida Chamber Honor Roll Award, 2010-2012;
Consortium of Florida Foundation for Education, Outstanding Partner Award, 2011;
Associated Builders and Contractors, Friend of Free Enterprise Award, 2011 & 2012;
Pasco Sheriff's Office, Sheriff's Special Service Award, 2012;
BayCare Behavioral Health, Legislative Leadership Award, 2012;
Police Benevolent Association, Legislative Champion Award, 2005 & 2013;
Early Learning Coalition, Early Learning Champion Award, 2013;
Florida Association of School Administrators, Legislator of the Year, 2013;

Hobbies or Special Talents:

reading, sports, travel