Sen. Don Gaetz at JU PPI's Healthcare Conference

Don Gaetz, President of the Senate, speaks at the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute: Healthcare Policy Conference on November 13, 2013.

Don Gaetz, President, The Florida Senate

In 2006, Don Gaetz became the first non-legislator in more than 50 years to be elected to the Florida Senate without opposition. He was reelected to represent his Northwest Florida district in 2010 and 2012. Additionally, in November 2012, Senator Gaetz was unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve a two year term as President of the Florida Senate.  Before being elected to the Senate, President Gaetz was the Superintendent of the Okaloosa County School District.  During his term of office from 2000 to 2006 Okaloosa Schools became the highest performing public school system in Florida and won numerous national awards for academic excellence.

President Gaetz is the retired co-founder and vice chairman of a multi-state health care corporation and is a former president of the National Hospice Organization.  He is a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Niceville. President Gaetz and his wife, Victoria, have two children. His son, Matt Gaetz is State Representative for District 4 in Northwest Florida.  

Don Gaetz was the last speaker of the first session,