Jeffrey Atwater

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Jeffrey "Jeff" Atwater represents District 25 in the Florida Senate. District 25 is based in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

[edit] Background

Jeff Atwater moved to Florida at the age of 4 and grew up in North Palm Beach, Florida, where his father- a veteran World War II pilot and FBI Agent- served as Police Chief. He earned an MBA from the University of Florida, and went on to gain substantial experience in banking. He was elected to the North Palm Beach Village Council in 1993. Later, he served as chairman, president and CEO of the Barnett Bank of Broward County and the Treasure Coast, and later as Market President of Riverside National Bank for Palm Beach and Broward counties. Atwater served two years in the Florida House of Representatives for two years before being elected to the state Senate. Atwater is expected to become Senate President for the 2008-10 Senate term and is mentioned as a possible Republican candidate for Chief Financial Officer in 2010.

Senator Atwater and his proponents assert that his background provides him with a unique insight into legislative issues pertaining to banking, insurance, finance and fiscal responsibility. In part, this expertise led Senate President Tom Lee to appoint him as Chair of Government Efficiency Appropriations and Vice Chair of the Select Committee on Medicaid Reform.