Eric J. Eikenberg is a senior policy advisor in the firm's Public Policy & Regulation Practice Group. Along with Governor Bob Martinez, Mr. Eikenberg co-chairs the Florida Government Advocacy Team. Having served as chief of staff to the Governor of Florida and a senior staff member of the U.S. House of Representatives, he has extensive experience within Florida government and the U.S. Congress. Mr. Eikenberg understands the inner workings of the executive and legislative branches of government following nearly eight years of public service. In addition to his government work, he is a seasoned political strategist having worked on federal and state legislative campaigns along with service to the Republican Party of Florida.
Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Mr. Eikenberg served for three years as a senior aide in Governor Charlie Crist's administration. During this time, he served as a deputy chief of staff to the governor where he was assigned as a liaison to a number of state agencies. These agencies included the Departments of Community Affairs, Environmental Protection and Transportation where a primary focus centered on Florida's growth management laws. Other agencies included the Departments of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Division of Emergency Management, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Military Affairs and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
In December 2007, Mr. Eikenberg was named the Governor's chief of staff. As the Governor's chief strategist and senior advisor, he was responsible for managing the Executive Office of the Governor, where his responsibilities included developing and overseeing the legislative and policy agenda, the governor's recommended state budget, communications and messaging, as well as coordinating 23 executive state agencies.
Mr. Eikenberg has formed strategic relationships within the Florida Legislature. As the Governor's chief of staff, he worked closely with Legislative leaders to pass landmark legislation including Higher Education Reform, medical coverage for the uninsured and the adoption of a comprehensive energy policy.
Prior to joining the Crist Administration, Mr. Eikenberg served as chief of staff to former U.S. Representative E. Clay Shaw, Jr. Congressman Shaw's role as Chairman of the Florida delegation gave him the opportunity to work closely with Florida members of Congress and their staff. Congressman Shaw also served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade giving Mr. Eikenberg extensive experience with international trade policy issues in this role. He has traveled to the People's Republic of China, Thailand, and the Dominican Republic. He also led a congressional staff delegation trip to Vietnam where discussions were held with senior Vietnamese government officials on a wide range of trade and social issues facing the United States and Vietnam.
In addition to Mr. Eikenberg's government service, he has also held key political positions. Immediately prior to joining Holland & Knight, he served as campaign manager to Governor Charlie Crist's Republican campaign for the United States Senate. Other campaign experiences include managing the re-election campaign of Congressman Shaw in 2000 and the 1998 Florida legislative campaign of current U.S. Senator George LeMieux. He also served as deputy executive director of the Republican Party of Florida in 2001.