Richard Anderson

RICHARD ANDERSON

PROFESSIONAL  HISTORY:
2014-Present                           RA Strategies P.A.

                                                President and CEO of consulting and lobbying firm. Primarily              

                                                dealing with development, procurement and land use issues.

                                                Projects include town centers, airport concessions, hotels,

                                                restaurants and all phases of industrial, commercial and residential

                                                procurement and development.

2014-2016                               Ballard Partners, Inc.

Lobbyist.  The firm formally known as Smith & Ballard, Inc. specializes in all aspects of governmental advocacy with particular emphasis on matters before Florida’s Executive and Legislative branches of state government as well as federal lobbying and consulting services.

1972-2014                              City of Apopka

Chief Administrative Officer (2005- 2014).  Managed and led the overall activities of the City.  Supervised a 400+ workforce, and administered a $70 million budget.  Coordinated regularly with state and regional agencies such as the Metro-Orlando EDC and Enterprise Florida to ensure Apopka was strategically positioned to capture economic development opportunities.  Interfaced frequently with regulatory agencies on a variety of municipal and development-related matters. 

Assistant City Administrator (1994-2005). Directly managed and provided oversight to the Fire, Information Technology, Community Development, Engineering and Police Departments.

Fire Chief (1985-2006).  Provided complete oversight to the operations and management of a ISO Class 1 professional fire department, including emergency medical services and public safety communications.

Firefighter/Paramedic/Dispatcher (1972-1984).  Held various ranks up to Assistant Chief. Served as the Emergency Medical Services Coordinator; implemented minimum training standards, and ensured optimal delivery of emergency medical services to citizens of the City and the unincorporated fire district; first responder for fire suppression and emergency medical calls.

                                                Significant Accomplishments while serving in the City:      

·      Facilitated interlocal agreements for Apopka to provide public safety dispatching services for the Cities of Maitland, Eatonville, and Ocoee;

·      Negotiated an interlocal agreement with Orange County to establish the City of Apopka as the exclusive public provider and ultimate purchase/acquisition of water and sewer services for northwest Orange County;

·      Established a UCF Incubator Program and facility within the City of Apopka;

·      Secured an ISO Class 1 rating for the City of Apopka Fire Department;

·      Played an active role in the planning of the Wekiva Parkway, positioning Apopka as the single interchange between the existing SR 429 and Interstate 4;

·      Supervised the acquisition of the runway and operational facilities at the Orlando-Apopka Airport with an ultimate goal of developing the site into a hub for the commercial shipping industry;

·      Planned the acquisition and development of a $150 million mixed-use town center project;

·      Consistently maintained the lowest ad valorem tax rate as compared to all other full-service cities within Orange County;

·      Shepherded the approval of the Kelly Park DRI project, located within the sensitive Wekiva River Protection Area;

·      Instituted a communitywide free wi-fi service; and

·      Established one of the first public safety mesh network communication systems.

EDUCATION:                      Florida State University                  

Florida Certified Public Manager Program

National Fire Academy                   

EMS Management for Fire Service

                                                Executive Development

                                                Incident Command

American Heart Association                      

Basic Cardiac Life Support Instructor

                                                Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor

National Association of Fire Investigators                        

Cause and Origins of Fire and Explosions

Seminole Community College        

Paramedic Curriculum

Valencia Community College                     

Florida Paramedic Certification

                                                Florida EMT Certification

Florida State Fire College               

Florida Minimum Standards for Firefighting

PROFESSIONAL AND

CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS:

Chairman of the John Land Community Trust

Former member of the Safety and Security Advisory Board for Orlando International Airport

Past Chairman of Orange County Public Schools Safety and Construction Oversight Committee

Past President - Central Florida Fire Chief’s Association

Past Chairman – Orange County EMS Advisory Council

Past Chairman of the Valencia Community College Paramedic Advisory Board

Board Member – Central Florida Fire Academy

Board Member – Colonial Bank

Orlando Lodge #69 F&AM

Orlando Scottish Rite Consistory (Thirty-Second Degree Mason)

Bahia Shrine

B.P.O.E.  #2422

Past President - Foliage Sertoma Club

HONORS:                             Boy Scouts Golden Eagle Award

Tri-County League of Cities Executive of the Year Award

Charles C. Hall Award for Emergency Medical Services

Qualifications

Forty-two years of years of progressively responsible public management experience; Forward-thinking and entrepreneurial approach to governmental services.

Significant Accomplishments

·      Facilitated interlocal agreements for Apopka to provide public safety dispatching services for the Cities of Maitland, Eatonville, and Ocoee;

·      Negotiated an interlocal agreement with Orange County to establish the City of Apopka as the exclusive public provider of water and sewer services for northwest Orange County;

·      Established a UCF Incubator Program and facility within the City of Apopka;

·      Secured an ISO Class 1 rating for the City of Apopka Fire Department;

·      Played an active role in the planning of the Wekiva Parkway, positioning Apopka as the single interchange between the existing SR 429 and Interstate 4;

·      Supervised the acquisition of the runway and operational facilities at the Orlando-Apopka Airport with an ultimate goal of developing the site into a hub for the commercial shipping industry;

·      Planned the acquisition and development of a $150 million mixed-use town center project;

·      Consistently maintained the lowest ad valorem tax rate as compared to all other full-service cities within Orange County;

·      Shepherded the approval of the Kelly Park DRI project, located within the sensitive Wekiva River Protection Area;

·      Instituted a communitywide free wi-fi service; and

·      Established one of the first public safety mesh network communication systems.