Legislator Profile
Former Florida Senator Don Gaetz (D) (R)
The information below was accurate during the legislator's active term.
District Address:
, FL
Capitol Address:
420 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5001
- Senate District:1
- First Elected:2006
- Terms Out:2016
- Party:Republican
- Delegations:Bay,Holmes,Jackson,Okaloosa,Walton,Washington
- District Information:Map
- Legislative Service:Elected to the Senate in 2006, reelected subsequently
- Born:January 22, 1948 in North Dakota
- Moved to Florida:1978
- Religious Affiliation:Lutheran
- Education:Troy State University, M.P.A.
Concordia College, B.A., Religion and Political Science
- Occupation:Co-founder and Vice Chairman (retired) VITAS Healthcare Corporation
- Spouse:Victoria Quertermous of Fort Walton Beach
- Children:Matthew Louis, II; Erin Victoria
- Affiliations:Okaloosa County Republican Club
United States Capitol Historical Society
James Madison Institute, Board of Directors
Bob Hope Village, Air Force Enlisted Widows Foundation, Board of Directors
Niceville-Valparaiso Youth Baseball, Board of Directors
Okaloosa County Economic Development Council, Executive Board
Bluewater Elementary School Advisory Council, Chairman
The Cushman School, Board of Trustees, Chairman
National Hospice Organization, Washington, DC, President and Chairman of the Board
Florida Governor's Commission on Long-term Health Care, Chairman
Florida State Hospice Organization, Founding Chairman
Salvation Army, Board of Directors
Gulf Coast Council of Boy Scouts of America, Board of Directors
University of West Florida Presidential Selection Committee
Niceville-Valparaiso-Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
Okaloosa-Walton Workforce Development Board
Capitol Hill Club, Washington DC
National Press Club, Washington, DC
Churchill Center Fellow, Washington, DC
Air Force Association
Theodore Roosevelt Association, Sagamore, NY
- Highlights:American Medical Association, Most Outstanding State Senator in U.S.
Florida Dental Association, Legislator of the Year
Florida Cancer Society, Legislator of the Year
Florida Medical Association, Legislator of the Year
Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, Outstanding Senator of the Year
American Association of Physician Specialists, Distinguished Service Award
National Association of Workforce Boards, Most Outstanding Leadership in Career-Technical Education in U.S.
Florida Hospices, Inc., Outstanding Legislator Award
Florida Council on Aging, Most Outstanding Senator
Florida Health Care Association, Legislator of the Year
Florida Police Chiefs Association, Award of Merit
Duke University, Donald J. Gaetz Endowed Professorship in Medicine and Religion
Florida Trend Magazine, Florida's Education Trendsetter
Seaside, Robert and Daryl Davis Town Builder Award
Leukemia Society of America, Person of the Year Award
Workforce Florida, Champion of the Florida Workforce
National Hospice Organization, Founders Award
Concordia College, President's Award; Alumni Achievement Award; Soli Deo Gloria Award
Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, Don Gaetz Take Stock in Children Scholarships
Bridgeway Center, Community Leadership Award
Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services, Service to Children and Youth Award
Okaloosa County Bands, Leadership in Music Education
International Television and Film Festival of New York, Gold Medal Award
Silver Sands Republican Women, Brass Elephant Award
James Madison Institute, Chairman's Award
Association for Retarded Children, Citizen of the Year Award
National Rifle Association, Rough Rider Award
Bluewater Elementary School, Parent Leadership Award
National Debate Coaches Association, Life Membership Award
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, George Washington Honor Medal
Florida Special Olympics, Humanitarian of the Year Award
Commodore of the City of Green Bay, Admiral Flatley Park, Environmental Award
Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout Award
- Former Service:Okaloosa School Board, elected Superintendent, 2000-2006
Okaloosa County School Board, Chairman, 1995-1996, Member, 1994-2000
Seaside, Florida, Town Chairman, 1990-1991
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