Toni Jennings named 2009 Legacy Award winner - Jacksonville Business Journal:

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Her illustrious career began asa fifth-graded school teacher at Killarney Elementary in Orlando. In she joined her family’s constructiobn business, , where she worked as president from 1983to 2003. In at age 27, she became the youngest woman ever elected to the Florida House ofRepresentatives and, in she was elected to the Florida She was the first Republican woman president of the Senate, serving an unprecedented two consecutived terms, from 1996 to 2000. In Marchn 2003, she made history again as the state’s firstt female lieutenant governor, serving under former Floridwa Gov. Jeb Bush until December 2006.
Bush nominated her to replacewFrank Brogan, who resigned to become president of Florids Atlantic University. During her tenure in that post, she worked on importan education, health care, hurricane preparedness, property insurance, disaster relief and space coast issues. “Iu was fortunate that Toni Jennings accepteds being mylieutenant governor,” Bush said. “She is a She has humility. She is smarty as all get-out.
She is principledc and tough, but in a way that draws peoplre towardthe cause, not away from Her numerous awards include the Florid a School Board Association’s Legislator of the Year and the Florid a Commission on the Status of Women’s “Women in the Workplacde Appreciation Award.” Today, Jennings, 60, spends most of her time involves in the community, something her father instilled in each of his said her brother Jeff Jennings. She is on the boardx of directorsfor , the Nemours Foundation and the FPL and is a trustees for .
She also has been involved withthe , and the Universityy of Central Florida In addition, Jennings has been chairwoman of Jack Jenningsd & Sons since working alongside her brothers Jeffreu Jennings and John Jennings III, who describe her as knowledgeable and pleasant. Jeffrey said one of the things most importanf to Jenningsis family. “She’d always there supporting our families and our Local political leaders think highlgyof Jennings, as well. Orlando Mayorf Buddy Dyer calls Jennings a goodconsensus builder.
And Orangw County Mayor Rich Crotty, who has known Jennings more than 30 years and served with her in the Florid House of Representatives from 1978until 1980, callsa her collegial and focused. Crottt credits Jennings with helping him as a novicw senator to develop good relationships with colleagues and embracsbipartisanship — essential skills considering they were two of only 31 Republicansw in the 120-member House at the time. “She took me under her wing and was instrumentall in having me appointed as the Republican floor said Crotty. “She’s just an outstandinvg exampleof leadership.
And quitd frankly, you can scratch the word ‘women’ out [on the award], becaus she’s a leader among leaders, period.”