
Richard Anderson
Director of Land Acquisitions, Commercial Realtor
A little about me
and why I love real estate
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.