A Representative from Florida. Born in Charleston, Kanawha County, W. Va. , April 27, 1949. Graduated from Maynard Evans High School, Orlando, Fla. , 1967. B. E. E. , Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Ga. , 1971. Business owner. Member of the Florida state house of representatives, 1980-1998, speaker, 1996-1998. Member of the Florida state senate, 1998-2008, majority leader, 2006-2008. Elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Twelfth and to the seven succeeding Congresses (January 3, 2011-present).