| Joe Gruters was elected to the Florida Senate in 2018 and has been reelected subsequently. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2016 to 2018. His public service includes roles as a Florida member of the Electoral College in 2016, a member of the Florida State University Board of Trustees, and a board member of the Florida Sports Foundation. He also served as Chairman of the Sarasota County Planning Commission. Currently, he has been appointed President of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) and is awaiting Senate confirmation.
Gruters has received multiple honors, including Senator of the Year awards from the Florida Homebuilders Association and the Fraternal Order of Police in 2019. He was recognized as a Distinguished Advocate by the Florida Chamber of Commerce in 2018 and 2019 and received appreciation awards from the Small County Coalition and Associated Industries of Florida.
A Certified Public Accountant, Gruters is married to Sydney Spence of Citrus Hills, Florida. They have three children- Spencer, Jack Ryan, and Elle.
Born in Tampa, Florida, he earned a B.S. from Florida State University in 1999 and an M.B.A. from the University of South Florida in 2003. A Roman Catholic, he enjoys college football, mountaineering, heli-skiing, and attending concerts. |