Elected to the Senate in 2006, reelected subsequently

Other Public Service

Okaloosa School Board, elected Superintendent, 2000-2006

Okaloosa County School Board, Chairman, 1995-1996, Member, 1994-2000

Seaside, Florida, Town Chairman, 1990-1991

Honors and Awards

American Medical Association, Most Outstanding State Senator in U.S.

Florida Dental Association, Legislator of the Year

Florida Cancer Society, Legislator of the Year

Florida Medical Association, Legislator of the Year

Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, Outstanding Senator of the Year

American Association of Physician Specialists, Distinguished Service Award

National Association of Workforce Boards, Most Outstanding Leadership in Career-Technical Education in U.S.

Florida Hospices, Inc., Outstanding Legislator Award

Florida Council on Aging, Most Outstanding Senator

Florida Health Care Association, Legislator of the Year

Florida Police Chiefs Association, Award of Merit

Duke University, Donald J. Gaetz Endowed Professorship in Medicine and Religion

Florida Trend Magazine, Florida's Education Trendsetter

Seaside, Robert and Daryl Davis Town Builder Award

Leukemia Society of America, Person of the Year Award

Workforce Florida, Champion of the Florida Workforce

National Hospice Organization, Founders Award

Concordia College, President's Award; Alumni Achievement Award; Soli Deo Gloria Award

Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, Don Gaetz Take Stock in Children Scholarships

Bridgeway Center, Community Leadership Award

Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services, Service to Children and Youth Award

Okaloosa County Bands, Leadership in Music Education

International Television and Film Festival of New York, Gold Medal Award

Silver Sands Republican Women, Brass Elephant Award

James Madison Institute, Chairman's Award

Association for Retarded Children, Citizen of the Year Award

National Rifle Association, Rough Rider Award

Bluewater Elementary School, Parent Leadership Award

National Debate Coaches Association, Life Membership Award

Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, George Washington Honor Medal

Florida Special Olympics, Humanitarian of the Year Award

Commodore of the City of Green Bay, Admiral Flatley Park, Environmental Award

Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout Award

Affiliations

Okaloosa County Republican Club

United States Capitol Historical Society

James Madison Institute, Board of Directors

Bob Hope Village, Air Force Enlisted Widows Foundation, Board of Directors

Niceville-Valparaiso Youth Baseball, Board of Directors

Okaloosa County Economic Development Council, Executive Board

Bluewater Elementary School Advisory Council, Chairman

The Cushman School, Board of Trustees, Chairman

National Hospice Organization, Washington, DC, President and Chairman of the Board

Florida Governor's Commission on Long-term Health Care, Chairman

Florida State Hospice Organization, Founding Chairman

Salvation Army, Board of Directors

Gulf Coast Council of Boy Scouts of America, Board of Directors

University of West Florida Presidential Selection Committee

Niceville-Valparaiso-Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors

Okaloosa-Walton Workforce Development Board

Capitol Hill Club, Washington DC

National Press Club, Washington, DC

Churchill Center Fellow, Washington, DC

Air Force Association

Theodore Roosevelt Association, Sagamore, NY

Biographical Information

Occupation- Co-founder and Vice Chairman (retired) VITAS Healthcare Corporation

Spouse- Victoria Quertermous of Fort Walton Beach

Children- Matt Gaetz, Erin Victoria

Education- Troy State University, M.P.A.

Concordia College, B.A., Religion and Political Science

Born- January 22, 1948 in North Dakota. Moved to Florida in 1978.

Historical- Father of State Representative Matt Gaetz

Religious Affiliation- Lutheran

Recreation- Upland game and waterfowl hunting, American history, real estate and antiques