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Patrick K. "Pat" Neal (born March 4, 1949) is an American real estate developer and politician who is a former Florida State Senator and former representative in the Florida House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Neal was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1949. He earned a bachelor of science (BS) in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. In 1969, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, serving as an officer from 1972 to 1975.

He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1974 through 1978 and in the Florida Senate from 1978 through 1986, where he was Chair of the Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee. As a member of the Florida Senate, he represented Manatee, Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands, Okeechobee, and Glades counties.

During his time in office, Neal worked on policies focused on environmental protection. In 1983, he wrote Florida's first Comprehensive Wetland Act and Comprehensive Hazardous Waste Act to protect groundwater. He also co-sponsored the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve Bill, recognizing the preserve as an outstanding water reserve and offering additional protection. Currently, Neal is a member of Florida's Judicial Nominating Commission, representing nominees within the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Neal is on the Board of Trustees for the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy organization based in Washington D.C. that researches government, politics, economics, and social welfare. He also currently serves as a member of the Investment Advisory Council of The Florida State Pension Fund, an organization providing oversight of decision-making and adherence to financial standards to funds. Neal also served as a former chairman of the Florida Commission on Ethics, overseeing the conduct of public employees in the state of Florida. Neal is also a member of the Reserve Officers Association, advocating for adequate funding of equipment, training requirements and employments rights for members of the Reserve.

Personal life

Pat Neal is the Chairman of the Executive Committee for Neal Communities based in Sarasota, Florida. He founded the company alongside his father, Paul Neal, in 1970. The first project Pat and his father undertook was Whitney Beach, found on Longboat Key, Florida. J. Paul Neal, Pat's grandfather, also worked in the homebuilding and real estate industry beginning in 1913.

In 2005, he donated 120 acres of land to Manatee County, wanting to ensure the protection of its wetlands and other aspects. In 2014, this was opened as the Neal Preserve, featuring boardwalk trails and other recreational opportunities woven into the environment.

Neal is also a current member of the Board of Trustees and former Chairman on the executive committee for Florida TaxWatch, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit research institute in that aims to improve government efficiency and accountability.

Awards

During 2012, Neal's company was named "America's Best Builder" by Builder Magazine, recognized for home quality and design.

In 2014, Neal received the Good Scout Award by The Manatee District of Boy Scouts of Southwest Florida, recognized for his leadership and philanthropic efforts within the state.

Neal was also recognized by Professional Builder as the 2015 Builder of The Year for excellence in leadership and sales.

In 2017, Neal was the recipient of The Defender of Faith and Freedom Award by the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition. He was recognized for his leadership in business and throughout the community.

Under his leadership at Neal Communities, The Florida Green Building Coalition awarded Green Builder of The Year from 2013 to 2019 for the commitment to building homes to green standards and certifying the most homes in Florida.

Neal was also named "Entrepreneur of The Year" in 2005, 2012 and 2014 by Business Observer, recognizing business leaders who uphold company success and culture.

In 2022, Neal's company was named as the Top Workplace by the Sarasota-Herald Tribune. He was also a Special Award honoree for Leadership.

References

1. ^ "The Florida Senate Handbook 1980-82" (PDF). Florida Senate. p. 8. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
2. ^ "The Florida Senate Handbook 1982-84" (PDF). Florida Senate. p. 14. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
3. Stockbridge-Pratt, Dorothy (April 11, 2004). "'It's what I do'". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
4. "The Journal of the Florida House of Representatives" (PDF). Florida House of Representatives. November 19, 1974. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
5. ^ Muellner, Alexis (December 20, 2019). "As Neal Communities turns 50, its founder is in it for the long haul". Tampa Bay Business Journal. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
6. Nova Law Review Volume 9, Issue 1.
7. "Summary of Hazardous Waste Regulations | Florida Department of Environmental Protection". floridadep.gov. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
8. Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve Management Plan (PDF).
9. "Governor makes 50 judicial nominating commission appointments". The Florida Bar. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
10. "American Enterprise Institute For Public Policy Research". Non Profit Data. April 13, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
11. "A resolution directing an update to the investment policy statement and proxy voting policies for the Florida Retirement System defined benefit pension plan, and directing the organization and execution of an internal review" (PDF). The State Board of Administration of Florida. August 23, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
12. ^ Staff Writer. "Pat Neal to receive Good Scout Award". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
13. ^ "Pat Neal honored with the 2017 Defender of Faith and Freedom Award". St. Pete, FL Patch. April 11, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
14. "Neal Communities posts higher home sales". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. July 15, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
15. "Make it Personal". Business Observer. August 25, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
16. ^ "The Neal family legacy expands as development in Manatee and Sarasota counties moves east". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
17. "Anna Maria Island News: Federal grant awarded for county's Neal Preserve - The islander Newspaper Online". www.islander.org. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
18. "Nature and history come together at Neal Preserve". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
19. "Florida voters approved $1.5 billion in annual local tax increases | Press Release - Florida Trend". www.floridatrend.com. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
20. "Magazine calls Neal 'America's Best'". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
21. "2015 Builder of the Year: Neal Communities". Professional Builder. November 24, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
22. "Neal Communities Named 'Builder of the Year' by Florida Green Building Coalition". Sarasota Magazine. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
23. "Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame". Business Observer. May 15, 2015. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
24. ^ Hutton, David. "Top Workplaces 2022 Spotlight: Neal Communities develops blueprint for employee satisfaction". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved April 3, 2023.

• 1949 births
• Republican Party Florida state senators
• Living people
• Democratic Party members of the Florida House of Representatives
• Wharton School alumni
• Politicians from Des Moines, Iowa
• 20th-century members of the Florida Legislature