FOURTH FLOOR>FILES Significant other? Children? My lovely wife of 16 years, Ley Ann, and our two children, Annelise, age 9, and Wren, age 2. In 25 words or less, explain what you do. Counsel and assist private sector and other government entities in their interactions with Florida’s state government. Without using the words Democrat, Independent or Republican, conservative or liberal, describe your political persuasion. I’m not sure I still know what those words mean anyway. My attitude toward government is pretty simple: It should provide protections to us, but at the same time it should not meddle in our personal lives or with our property. This is an easy description to make as I am not currently running for political office or representing any constituencies. If you have one, what is your motto? Do what you say you are going to do. During your career, have you had a favorite pro bono client? I didn’t actually represent a client, but I really enjoyed fixing a glitch in the FRS with Fred Brummer a few years ago that allowed a handful of teachers throughout the state to keep their retirement benefits.
Ron LaFace, Jr.
PHOTO: Mary Beth Tyson
THRIVES ON WHATABURGER, CABERNET AND TWITTER
Three favorite charities. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tallahassee, Randy Roberts Foundation, and the Capital Area Gator Club, whose sole charitable purpose is to give scholarships to Tallahassee-area students to attend UF instead of FSU. Any last-day-of-Session traditions? I usually enjoy a nice Cabernet with colleagues and toast the past 60 days, then go to the beach with my family to decompress and spend daylight time with them. If you could have another lobbyist’s client list, it would be … My clients have been very good to me for many years and I greatly appreciate them. Besides, most other lobbyist’s clients conflict with the ones I represent. Professional accomplishment of which you are most proud? Fixing a significant hole in a very controversial bill with Steve Madden during the budget conference process before the flawed bill was passed out of the Legislature.
Lobbyists are often accused of wearing Gucci loafers; do you own a pair of Gucci loafers? If not, why not? No, because they do not have Nike Air soles like my Cole Haan loafers do. Who is your favorite Florida Capitol Press Corps reporter and why? It changes often, but currently would be Gary Fineout. I appreciate his political memory, and he reminds me of some of the nuances of past events on Twitter. Very nostalgic sometimes. Other than SaintPetersBlog.com, your reading list includes … I used to visit multiple news aggregation sites daily, but now my Twitter timeline conveniently covers the gamut of everything I am interested in reading. Perhaps this question should be changed to “who do you follow?” What swear word do you use most often? With young kids, I have really tried to turn them all G-rated. During Session, though, I’m not sure there is just one I use the most often. What is your most treasured possession? It’s tied between my father’s Rolex and a pair of his opal cufflinks. I remember him buying the cufflinks in Australia when we were there on a family trip many years ago. The best hotel in Florida is … The Ritz Carlton in Amelia Island. The inside pool is essential in both summer and winter. You’ve just learned that you will be hosting a morning talk show about Florida politics. Who are the first four guests you’d invite to appear? Adam Putnam, Will Weatherford, Pam Bondi and Jeff Atwater. First topic would be Florida, 2018. Favorite movie. Currently is “Charlie Wilson’s War,” maybe because we recently finished the budget conference process. When you pig out, what do you eat? Whataburger. I suggest the Monterey Melt if you are looking to really cheat. If you could have dinner with a historical figure no longer living, who would it be? Stephen C. O’Connell. I learned an awful lot from him while I was growing up and there are many things that have happened in the last 15 years that I would like his take on.
SPRING 2016 INFLUENCE | 61