Elected to the Senate in 2008, reelected subsequently

Majority (Republican) Whip, 2008-2010

House of Representatives, 1998-2006

Other Public Service

Sarasota County School Board, 1988-1992

Enterprise Florida Board of Directors, Member, 2009

Florida Commission on Tourism, Ex-Officio Member, 2009

Department of Education- Commission on Leadership for High Needs Districts, 2009

Honors and Awards

Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section Champion of Justice Independence Award, 2011

Sarasota County Bar Association Distinguished Service Award, 2010-2011

Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc., FL Gulf Coast Chapter, ABC "Free Enterprise" Award, 2010

Florida Music Educators' Association, Friend of Music Education Award, 2010

Florida Art Education Association, Friend of Art Education Award, 2009

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Friend of Free Enterprise, 2009

Florida School Boards Association, Inc., Legislator of the Year, 2009, 2002, 1999

Florida Association of Conventions and Visitors Bureaus, Legislator of the Year, 2004

Florida Economic Development Council, Inc., Legislator of the Year Award, 2004

Florida Housing Coalition, Legislator of the Year, 2004, 2003

National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Florida Chapter, "Florida Heroes Awards", 2004

Sarasota Office of Housing and Community Development Award, 2004

Florida Association of Museums, Museum Service Award, 2003

Florida Bankers Association, Leadership Award, 2003

Florida Boys and Girls Club, Recognition of Service, 2002

Florida Funeral Directors, Legislator of the Year, 2002

Funeral and Cemetery Alliance of Florida, Outstanding Legislator of the Year, 2002

Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers, Legislator of the Year, 2001

Florida Association of Technical Educators, Legislator of the Year, 2001

Ranked by The Miami Herald as one of the Top 25 State Legislators for her "sound policy objectives and behind the scenes work"

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Legislator of the Year, 2000

Florida Association of School Administrators, Legislator of the Year, 2000

Girls, Inc., "She Knows Where She's Going" Award, 2000

Gulf Coast Marine Institute, Legislator of the Year, 2000

Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association, Legislator of the Year, 2000

Florida Association of School Social Workers, Legislator of the Year, 1999

Women of Distinction, Award for Finance, 1998

Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, Small Business of the Year Award, 1993

Affiliations

Enterprise Florida, Board Member

NCSL (National Conference of State Legislators) Financial Services, Board Member

NCSL Women's Legislative Network, Vice President

Osprey Mortgage Company, Founder and President, 1983-2007

Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers, Legislative Chair, 1998

Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, 1998

Venice-Nokomis Federated Women's Club, Vice President,1998

Republican Women's Club of Sarasota, President, 1996

Suncoast Chapter of Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers, President, 1996

Biographical Information

Occupation- Owner, Primary Creative Solutions

Children- Mark, Bryan, Jamie

Education- Attended Sienna Heights College

Born- October 22, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois. Moved to Florida in 1978.

Historical- Related to Charles Carroll, signer of the Declaration of Independence

Religious Affiliation- Catholic

Recreation- Golf, movies, reading, tennis