Governor Bob Martinez is Senior Policy Advisor with Holland & Knight's Securities and Public Companies practice. Gov. Martinez is one of Florida's most respected leaders, and his distinguished career in public service spans more than 40 years. Career highlights include serving in the following positions: Cabinet-level office as the nation's second Drug Czar under President George H.W. Bush from 1991-1993, Governor of Florida from 1987-1991, Mayor of the City of Tampa from 1979-1986, and Vice Chairman of the Southwest Water Management District from 1975-1979.
Gov. Martinez is known for his creation of effective environmental protection programs such as Preservation 2000, the largest conservation land-purchasing initiative in the nation of its time. He is also recognized for his focus on drug control and his commitment to public education. Further, his participation in numerous presidential missions to Latin America provides him with extensive knowledge of that region. In fact, Gov. Martinez was the first of Hispanic descent and the second Republican since Reconstruction to be elected as Florida's governor.
In addition to representing clients at Holland & Knight, Gov. Martinez serves on various corporate boards and continues his life-long commitment the community. Gov. Martinez is a native of Tampa and maintains offices in Tampa, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.