Troy Kinsey / MEDIA Troy Kinsey is a multi-talented institution of Florida politics. And if imitation is the highest form of flattery, he also knows how to give a compliment. As Spectrum News Bay News 9’s Tallahassee Bureau Chief since 2006, Troy navigates legislative sessions, elections, and everything else Florida, one TV package at a time. A Californian by birth, after graduating from University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism, he adopted La Florida — the state with the most beautiful name — as home. Troy first reported in Gainesville, and then brought his talents to Tallahassee shortly before I was elected Governor. That’s where he earned his nickname, “Tallahassee’s Tina Fey,” through standout hilarious performances at the Florida Capitol Press Corps’ Press Skits — including an imitation truly of “the people.” In addition to his outstanding professional reporting career, Troy is also an adjunct professor of political communication at Florida State University and a pilot, flying and teaching others to fly all across the most beautiful state in the country. His bird’s eye view of Florida politics, his work ethic, and his integrity make him one of the most influential people in Florida politics and a great Floridian. — Charlie Crist, U.S. Representative, Florida’s 13th Congressional District
John Kirtley / ADVOCATE John Kirtley’s fierce commitment to empowering lowincome parents so they can control the educational destinies of their children has changed the life trajectories of countless families, helped propel Florida’s public education system into the top tier nationally and made our state an even better place. Without John, there would be no Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, which now serves 100,000 low-income students each year and is the largest private school choice program in America. Without John, there would be no Step Up For Students, the nonprofit that now administers five of Florida’s education choice programs and just awarded its 1 millionth scholarship. John and Step Up are on the cutting edge of expanding options and opportunities for the most disadvantaged students — and, along the way, redefining public education into something that is ever more studentfocused, parent-driven and teacher-liberating. So many people deserve credit for the rise of Florida’s education system; I’ve had the honor of working with many of them. But there’s no question John and Step Up have played a pivotal role. Thanks to John’s leadership and influence, hundreds of thousands of students have brighter tomorrows, and, God willing, even more will benefit for years to come. — John Legg, former state Senator
Fall 2020
INFLUENCE
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