1000 Friends of Florida
Media Release
June 1, 2018 1:00 p.m.
1000 Friends of Florida is pleased to announce that Paul Owens has been selected to serve as the next President of the organization, starting on July 9, 2018. With the Orlando Sentinel since 2002, Paul has served as Opinions Editor since 2013. In that capacity he has written extensively on growth management, environment and quality of life issues facing Florida. He brings a profound knowledge of public policy at the state and local level, particularly relating to growth and development and their myriad impacts.
“Paul’s proven love of Florida makes him the perfect person to lead 1000 Friends,” explains Chairman Tim Jackson. “He will continue in the proud tradition of giving all residents of Florida a meaningful role in shaping the future of their communities and the entire state.”
1000 Friends Founder and Chairman Emeritus Nathaniel Pryor Reed concurs. With Florida returning to its historic growth rates of more than 1000 new residents a day, protecting natural lands and ensuring that development is sustainable is more critical than ever. “We are beyond thrilled that Paul will be at the helm, bringing his inestimable skills to bear on the most pressing issues facing our state,” says Reed.
Tim Jackson notes that Florida’s accelerating rate of growth brings challenges, but also enormous potential to shape a better future for all Floridians. “We enthusiastically welcome Paul, with his passion, high energy, intellect, and proven track record as we ramp up our advocacy efforts on behalf of all Floridians,” says Jackson.
1000 Friends Vice Chair Vicki Tschinkel believes Paul brings tremendous insights to the issues facing Florida today. “His writings reflect his profound understanding of the complex issues facing Florida’s communities, and the public policy solutions necessary to move Florida forward on a better path.”
“Paul Owens’ selection is a dynamic out of the box choice,” notes 1000 Friends Board Member and Seminole County Commissioner Lee Constantine. “In working with Mr. Owens throughout the years I found him to be a conscientious and dedicated believer in the protection of the Florida we love. 1000 Friends of Florida will be in very good hands as we look to the long-term future of Florida.”
In addition to serving as Opinions Editor, Paul was the Sentinel’s Florida Forward Moderator, organizing and moderating public forums on topics including transportation and affordable housing, and before that was an Editorial Writer and then a Senior Editorial Writer. Earlier he was a reporter and editor with The Associated Press in Baltimore, covering state governments in Maryland and Delaware. He was with the Charleston Daily Mail in West Virginia for nine years, first as Statehouse Reporter, then Associate Editor and finally Political Editor. Early in his career he worked for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in Washington, D.C. Paul has a Bachelor of Arts in History with honors from Swarthmore College and a Master of Arts in Journalism from Stanford University.
His numerous awards include First Prize in Editorial Writing from the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors in 2016, First Prize from the Florida Bar Media Awards in 2013 for editorials on judicial independence, and First Prize in Editorial Writing from the Florida Society of Professional Journalists in 2012.
Since 1986, 1000 Friends of Florida has focused on saving special places and building better communities in one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Over the course of more than 30 years, 1000 Friends has initiated and helped secure passage of vital statewide programs like Preservation 2000 and Florida Greenways. Its attorneys have successfully argued dozens of legal cases setting important statewide precedents. 1000 Friends maintains a strong presence in the halls of the Florida Legislature each year, advocating for sound public policy and halting damaging legislation.
1000 Friends’ commitment remains unwavering to educate citizens, professionals and elected officials on workable, Florida-specific strategies to enhance the quality of life. 1000 Friends spearheaded the landmark Florida 2070 project, showing the impacts of growth and development if current patterns of development remain the same, and more sustainable alternatives. Its free Dr. John M. DeGrove Webinar Series reaches more than 300 attendees per event on critical issues facing Florida. To find out more about 1000 Friends of Florida, please visit www.1000friendsofflorida.org.