Former Member, Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education, Florida State Senate

Former Member, Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K-12 Education, Florida State Senate

Former Chair, Community Affairs Committee, Florida State Senate

Former Member, Economic Development Steering Committee, Team Florida

Former Member, Education Committee, Florida State Senate

Former Member, Ethics and Elections Committee, Florida State Senate

Member, Energy 2020 Commission, 2000

Member, Florida School Construction Finance Commission, 1999

Member, Hillsborough County City/County Planning Commission, 1992-1995

Member, Hillsborough County Zoning Board of Adjustment, 1991-1993

Member, Brandon Transportation Task Force, 1992

Member, Appropriations Committee

Member, Banking and Insurance Committee

Chair, Infrastructure and Security Committee

Member, Joint Committee on Legislative Auditing

Member, Rules Committee

Member, Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

— Awards:

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Legislative Achievement Award, 2006;
• Hillsborough Community College Distinguished Alumni;
• Theodore Roosevelt Society, Legislator of the Year;
• Sun Coast League of Municipalities, Bill Bartholomew Good Government Award;
• Hillborough County Commission, Ellsworth Simmons Good Government Award;
• Florida League of Cities, Quality Floridian Award;
• Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Community Leadership Award;
• Florida Sheriffs Association, Legislator of the Year;
• Florida Sheriffs Association, Award for Leadership in Service to Law Enforcement;
• Florida Police Chiefs Association, Legislative Achievement Award;
• Florida Association of Realtors, Legislator of the Year;
• Florida Tax Collectors, Legislator of the Year;
• Sierra Club of Florida, Legislator of the Year;
• Florida Association of Post-Secondary Schools & Colleges, Legislator of the Year;
• The Wall Street Journal, Selected as Rising Star in the Florida Senate;
• Florida Christian Coalition, Faith and Family Award;
• Florida Medical Association, Legislative Appreciation Award;
• American Planning Society Legislator of the Year;
• Florida Restaurant Association, Government Relations Award;
• PACE Center for Girls, Legislative Leadership Award;
• Associated General Contractors of Florida, Legislator of the Year;
• American Cancer Society, Legislative Leadership Award;
• Florida Homebuilders Association, Legislator of the Year;
• Florida Tax Collectors Association, Legislative Appreciation Award;
• Independent Colleges and Universities, Guardian of Independent Education;
• Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, President's Award;