Florida Chamber Names Frank Walker Executive Vice President of Government & Political Relations

The Florida Chamber of Commerce today announced Frank Walker has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Government & Political Relations, overseeing the Chamber’s extensive legislative and political operations.

“As we ramp up the Florida business community’s advocacy efforts to continue growing Florida’s economy and investing in Florida’s future, Frank Walker is the right leader to represent the interests of Florida’s job creators in Tallahassee and D.C.,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson. “Unifying the business community is not for everyone and Frank has proven he has the integrity, experience and belief in free enterprise to make sure the right issues are addressed and the right leaders are elected.”

Frank’s 17-year track record of extensive advocacy and political expertise includes:

• Managing the development and strategic implementation of the Florida Chamber’s annual legislative agenda, the Florida Business Agenda, and leading the Chamber’s team of 20+ lobbyists for the last six years
• 11 years in Washington, D.C. serving multiple Members of Congress and U.S. Senators
• Served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative Daniel Webster, and also held key policy and leadership positions with former Senator George LeMieux, Representative Dave Reichert, and former Senator Mel Martinez
• Multiple successful congressional campaigns, including campaigns for Webster, Reichert, former Representative Steve Southerland and former U.S. Senator Bob Corker.

“I am thankful to work alongside such an accomplished and dedicated team at the Florida Chamber and honored to be entrusted to continue advancing the incredibly important mission laid out by our Board,” said Frank Walker, Executive Vice President, Government & Political Relations. “The opportunity to build upon the track record of achievement for our members and commitment to Florida’s future of those before me is humbling.”

“As Florida Chamber Chair-Elect, I fully support Frank — and the results speak for themselves,” said Chas Bailes, Policy Council Chair and CEO of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. “Look no further than the 2021 Legislative session where Florida-Chamber backed, pro-jobs policy passed including COVID liability protections, online sales tax reform and preventing a $713M unemployment tax increase on job creators.”

“Frank Walker is always focused on the future and in a process where trust matters, Frank is proven to be effective and trustworthy,” said Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, incoming Florida Senate President-Designate. “I congratulate the Florida Chamber and look forward to working with Frank and the Chamber team to keep Florida competitive.”

“I’ve worked with Frank on several important initiatives and when it comes to fighting for free enterprise and unifying Florida’s business community, Frank has the experience, wisdom and team to move the needle forward,” said Rep. Paul Renner, House Speaker-Designate.  

Earlier this week we announced, after 11 years on staff and a 20-year relationship with the Florida Chamber, David Hart will be serving as the CEO of the Bermuda Development Agency.  David joins a group of more than 10 former Florida Chamber staff in the last 15 years that, after serving and learning here at the Florida Chamber, have gone on to become Presidents or Executive Directors of organizations.

“David’s contributions have mattered to Florida and to advancing the Florida Chamber mission. We are grateful for his service and we expect the relationship to continue in his new role,” added Wilson.

“As a sixth generation Floridian, it has been a true labor of love to wake up every day these past 11 years and make contributions toward the mission of securing Florida’s future. While I am very proud to have played a role in the accomplishments during this time, none of them would have been possible without the leadership of our Board of Directors and the dedicated team of professionals here at the Florida Chamber,” said David Hart. “I am quite confident they will take the Florida Chamber and Florida to even greater levels of success in the years ahead.”

To view the Florida Chamber’s full legislative review of what passed, what was defeated and what remains unfinished business in our fight for free enterprise, please visit https://www.flchamber.com/advocacy/wherewestand/.

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