Growing up in the Tampa Bay area Jack spent much of his childhood around airports. Making his first solo flight on his 16th birthday, he pursued further pilot ratings as age permitted. As a student at the University of South Florida he supported himself as a flight instructor and earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Finance. Following the receipt of his Juris Doctor in 1976, Jack entered private civil practice before joining the Circuit Court in 2003. He has served in the Felony, Family, Civil, Probate and Appellate Divisions. In 2016 he was recognized with the William Castagna Award of Judicial Excellence by the Barney Masterson Inn of Court. Following his retirement from the bench in 2020 he now serves as a mediator, arbitrator and special master.
As a civic leader having served on numerous boards, committees and task forces, Jack was a Dunedin City Commissioner for two terms. He is a graduate of Leadership Pinellas (’91), Leadership Tampa Bay (’92), Leadership Florida (’04), and past member of the National Leadership Training Council. He and his wife Nancy enjoy traveling around the world and have visited over 100 countries.
Education:
St. Petersburg Junior College – Associates of Arts 1971
University of South Florida – Bachelor of Arts in Finance 1973
Hamline Law School – Juris Doctor 1976
Diploma of Judicial Skills- from American
Academy of Judicial Education. 2007
Occupation:
Retired Circuit Court Judge 2003-2020
Professional Admissions:
Supreme Court of Florida May 31, 1977
U.S. District Court (FL Middle District) March 16, 1979
U.S. Court of Appeals (5th Circuit) October 1, 1981
U.S. Court of Appeals (11th Circuit) October 1, 1981
Supreme Court of United States November 9, 1998
Supreme Court Certified Mediator – Civil/Family
Awards, Memberships and Honors:
1978-88 – Plaque in Appreciation for service on the Dunedin Housing Authority. Past Chairman.
March 12, 1979 – FAA approved AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Course
July 10, 1980 – Award of Appreciation from the City of Dunedin for participation in the Complete Count Committee. (1980 Census)
March 23, 1981 – FAA approved AOPA Air Safety Foundation Flight Instructor Refresher Course
1986 – Certification of Appreciation for service on the GTE Community Advisory Panel.
1986-90 – Plaque in Appreciation for services, presented by the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.
1986-92 – Appreciation Plaque for service on the Dunedin Board of Adjustment and Appeal.
March 17, 1988 – Award of Appreciation City of Dunedin 1987 Sign Code Review Committee
March 15, 1990 – Award of Appreciation from the City of Dunedin for service on the Grant Field Advisory Board.
1990 – History Maker for the City of Dunedin. Awarded by the Dunedin Historic Society.
1992 – Plaque in Appreciation for services to the Dunedin Council of Organizations. Past President.
12. 1995 – Certificate of Appreciation Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary, Inc. Volunteer
13. 1993-97 – Plaque in Appreciation for service on the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. Member of Executive Council.
1993-1999 – Plaque and Appreciation for service as Dunedin City Commissioner.
Centennial Vote Task Force Member (2000)
Airplane Owners and Pilots Association – Appointment to Airport Support Network, CLW.
Graduate of Leadership of Pinellas (1991). President 2012
Graduate of Leadership of Tampa Bay (1992).
Graduate of Leadership Florida (2004).
1997-1999 – Member of National Leadership Training Council.
Certificate of Achievement – 6th Annual Leadership Summit National League of Cities
Past President of Dunedin Historical Society (2002).
Member of Dunedin Fine Arts
Past Member/Board of Directors – Clearwater Bar Association
Past Chairman Florida Bar Grievance Committee 6-A
For Haiti with Love – Volunteer
Clearwater Power Squadron – Past Law Officer; 8 merit marks
2000 Award from the Morton Plant Mease Foundation for the Financial Consulting Service – 5 million dollar challenge.
Certificate of Excellence from the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys.
July 11, 2001 Graduate of Pinellas County Sheriffs Community Policing Academy
Past President of Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County, Inc. (2002)
Pinellas County Police Athletic League, Inc. – Past Chairman of Building Committee.
Certificate of Appreciation from the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J.
Award of Excellence by the National Society of the Daughter of the American Revolution (1996)
Certificate of Appreciation from The School Board of Pinellas County, Florida
Charter Member of Academie Da Vinci, Pinellas County 1st Charter School.
2003 & 2004 Certificate of Appreciation from Florida Metropolitan University.
Certificate of Completion of the Enhancing Judicial Bench Skills Course, February 24, 2005.
2008 Member of the Executive Council – Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section.
Department of Defense Joint Civilian Orientation Conference ‘76
William J. Castagna Award for Judicial Excellence – 2016