Pat Neal
{{Short description|American politician (born 1949)}}
{{COI|date=December 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Patrick "Pat" Neal
|image =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|3|4}}
|birth_place = Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
|state_senate1 = Florida
|district1 = 24th
|term_start1 = November 7, 1978
|term_end1 = November 4, 1986
|predecessor1 = Thomas Gallen
|successor1 = Marlene Woodson-Howard
|state_house2 = Florida
|district2 = 72nd
|term_start2 = November 5, 1974
|term_end2 = November 7, 1978
|predecessor2 = John P. Harllee
|successor2 = Lawrence F. Shackelford
|death_date =
|death_place =
|party = Republican
|otherparty = Democratic (1974–1986)
|spouse = {{marriage|Charlene Lovingood|1978}}
|education = Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
|profession = Real estate
}}
Patrick K. "Pat" Neal (born March 4, 1949) is an American real estate developer and politician who is a former Florida State Senator and former representative in the Florida House of Representatives.
Early life and education
Neal was born in Des Moines, Iowa in 1949.{{cite web |url=https://www.flsenate.gov/UserContent/Publications/SenateHandbooks/pdf/80-82_Senate_Handbook.pdf |title=The Florida Senate Handbook 1980-82 |page=8 |publisher=Florida Senate |access-date=June 28, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.flsenate.gov/UserContent/Publications/SenateHandbooks/pdf/82-84_Senate_Handbook.pdf |title=The Florida Senate Handbook 1982-84 |page=14 |publisher=Florida Senate |access-date=June 28, 2019}} He earned a bachelor of science (BS) in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.{{cite web |first1=Dorothy |last1=Stockbridge-Pratt |accessdate=September 18, 2020 |date=April 11, 2004 |title='It's what I do' |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20040411/News/605210271 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune}} In 1969, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, serving as an officer from 1972 to 1975.
He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1974 through 1978 and in the Florida Senate from 1978 through 1986, where he was Chair of the Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee.{{cite web |url=https://sb.flleg.gov/nxt/gateway.dll/AllHouseJournals/hj1970s/hj1975/01organization/03_11_19_pp1-11_cert_1974.pdf |title=The Journal of the Florida House of Representatives |date=November 19, 1974 |website=Florida House of Representatives |access-date=September 18, 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Muellner |first=Alexis |date=December 20, 2019 |title=As Neal Communities turns 50, its founder is in it for the long haul |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2019/12/20/as-neal-communities-turns-50-its-founder-is-in-it.html |access-date=March 1, 2023 |website=Tampa Bay Business Journal}} As a member of the Florida Senate, he represented Manatee, Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands, Okeechobee, and Glades counties.
During his time in office, Neal worked on policies focused on environmental protection. In 1983, he wrote Florida's first Comprehensive Wetland Act{{Cite book |url=https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1870&context=nlr/ |title=Nova Law Review Volume 9, Issue 1}} and Comprehensive Hazardous Waste Act{{Cite web |title=Summary of Hazardous Waste Regulations {{!}} Florida Department of Environmental Protection |url=https://floridadep.gov/waste/permitting-compliance-assistance/content/summary-hazardous-waste-regulations |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=floridadep.gov}} to protect groundwater. He also co-sponsored the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve Bill, recognizing the preserve as an outstanding water reserve and offering additional protection.{{Cite book |url=http://publicfiles.dep.state.fl.us/cama/plans/aquatic/Estero-Bay-AP-Management-Plan.pdf |title=Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve Management Plan}} Currently, Neal is a member of Florida's Judicial Nominating Commission, representing nominees within the 12th Judicial Circuit.{{Cite web |title=Governor makes 50 judicial nominating commission appointments |url=https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/governor-makes-50-judicial-nominating-commission-appointments/ |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=The Florida Bar |language=en-US}}
Neal is on the Board of Trustees for the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy organization based in Washington D.C. that researches government, politics, economics, and social welfare.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-13 |title=American Enterprise Institute For Public Policy Research |url=https://nonprofitlight.com/dc/washington/american-enterprise-institute-for-public-policy-research |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=Non Profit Data |language=en-us}} He also currently serves as a member of the Investment Advisory Council of The Florida State Pension Fund, an organization providing oversight of decision-making and adherence to financial standards to funds.{{Cite web |url=https://www.flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ESG-Resolution-Final.pdf |agency=The State Board of Administration of Florida |title=A resolution directing an update to the investment policy statement and proxy voting policies for the Florida Retirement System defined benefit pension plan, and directing the organization and execution of an internal review |date=August 23, 2022 |access-date=March 1, 2023}}{{failed verification|date=March 2023}} Neal also served as a former chairman of the Florida Commission on Ethics, overseeing the conduct of public employees in the state of Florida. Neal is also a member of the Reserve Officers Association, advocating for adequate funding of equipment, training requirements and employments rights for members of the Reserve.
Criticism
Neal has faced criticism for his political influence{{Cite web |last=Barfield |first=Michael |date=2025-04-16 |title=Developers Pulling Rank: How Power Plays Shape Sarasota County Decisions |url=https://floridatrident.org/developers-pulling-rank-how-power-plays-shape-sarasota-county-decisions/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=Florida Trident |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Pittman |first=Craig |date=2025-05-29 |title=Legislature wants to make it impossible for local governments to build back better after hurricanes • Florida Phoenix |url=https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/05/29/legislature-wants-to-make-it-impossible-for-local-governments-to-build-back-better-after-hurricanes/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Florida Phoenix |language=en-US}} and development practices. Sarasota and Manatee County residents have opposed approval of his developments due to negative environmental impacts and flooding concerns.{{Cite web |last=Bushman |first=Heather |title=Sarasota County greenlights massive 2,700-acre development by Pat Neal. See what's next. |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/2024/08/28/new-2700-acre-development-with-thousands-of-homes-gets-the-go-ahead/74971270007/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kitterman |first=Dawn |date=2022-03-06 |title=Neal Communities Approved to Develop 310 Acres Next to Lake Manatee State Park |url=https://thebradentontimes.com/stories/neal-communities-approved-to-develop-310-acres-next-to-lake-manatee-state-park,30554 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Bradenton Times |language=en}} Additionally, Neal has faced scructiny for his contributions to dark dark money PACs and connections to regulatory bodies.{{Cite web |last=Kitterman |first=Dawn |date=2022-07-17 |title=Unraveling the PACS of District 4 |url=https://thebradentontimes.com/stories/unraveling-the-pacs-of-district-4,31246 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Bradenton Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Maley |first=Dennis |date=2019-07-14 |title=Pat Neal Lawsuit Illuminates Dark Side of Local Politics |url=https://thebradentontimes.com/stories/pat-neal-lawsuit-illuminates-dark-side-of-local-politics,27483 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=The Bradenton Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Swiftmud board member says he has no conflict in approving permit for friend |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/wetlands/developer-gets-controversial-wetlands-permit-approved-on-vote-prompted-by/2242722/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}} Candidates backed by Neal, Carlos Beruff, and other real estate developers lost races across Manatee County in 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-21 |title=Voters issue a stunning rebuke to DeSantis and developers in Manatee and Sarasota races |url=https://www.wusf.org/politics-issues/2024-08-21/voters-issue-stunning-rebuke-desantis-developers-manatee-sarasota-counties-races-florida-primary-2024 |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=WUSF |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2024 |title='Turning point.' Grassroots Manatee Republicans topple developer and DeSantis favorites |url=https://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article291248900.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 1, 2025}}
Personal life
Pat Neal is the Chairman of the Executive Committee for Neal Communities based in Sarasota, Florida.{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2020 |title=Neal Communities posts higher home sales |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/manatee/2020/07/15/neal-communities-posts-higher-home-sales/112604514/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=November 20, 2020 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}} He founded the company alongside his father, Paul Neal, in 1970.{{Cite web |date=2017-08-25 |title=Make it Personal |url=https://www.businessobserverfl.com/news/2017/aug/25/make-it-personal/ |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Business Observer |language=en}} The first project Pat and his father undertook was Whitney Beach, found on Longboat Key, Florida.{{Cite web |title=The Neal family legacy expands as development in Manatee and Sarasota counties moves east |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2022/04/04/neal-family-legacy-expands-development-manatee-and-sarasota-counties-moves-east/9458515002/ |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}} J. Paul Neal, Pat's grandfather, also worked in the homebuilding and real estate industry beginning in 1913.
In 2005, he donated 120 acres of land to Manatee County, wanting to ensure the protection of its wetlands and other aspects.{{Cite web |title=Anna Maria Island News: Federal grant awarded for county's Neal Preserve - The islander Newspaper Online |url=https://www.islander.org/9-17-08/neal.php |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=www.islander.org}} In 2014, this was opened as the Neal Preserve, featuring boardwalk trails and other recreational opportunities woven into the environment.{{Cite web |title=Nature and history come together at Neal Preserve |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2014/04/13/nature-and-history-come-together-at-neal-preserve/29241533007/ |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}}
Neal is also a current member of the Board of Trustees and former Chairman on the executive committee for Florida TaxWatch, an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit research institute in that aims to improve government efficiency and accountability.{{Cite web |title=Florida voters approved $1.5 billion in annual local tax increases {{!}} Press Release - Florida Trend |url=https://www.floridatrend.com/print/article/25984 |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=www.floridatrend.com}}
Awards
- In 2014, Neal received the Good Scout Award by The Manatee District of Boy Scouts of Southwest Florida, recognized for his leadership and philanthropic efforts within the state.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |title=Pat Neal to receive Good Scout Award |url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2014/01/02/pat-neal-to-receive-good-scout-award/29220502007/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |language=en-US}}
- Neal was also recognized by Professional Builder as the 2015 Builder of The Year for excellence in leadership and sales.{{Cite web |date=2015-11-24 |title=2015 Builder of the Year: Neal Communities |url=http://www.probuilder.com/2015-builder-year-neal-communities |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=Professional Builder |language=en}}
- In 2017, Neal was the recipient of The Defender of Faith and Freedom Award by the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-11 |title=Pat Neal honored with the 2017 Defender of Faith and Freedom Award |url=https://patch.com/florida/stpete/pat-neal-honored-2017-defender-faith-freedom-award |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=St. Pete, FL Patch |language=en}}
- Neal was also named "Entrepreneur of The Year" in 2005, 2012 and 2014 by Business Observer, recognizing business leaders who uphold company success and culture.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-15 |title=Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame |url=https://www.businessobserverfl.com/news/2015/may/15/entrepreneur-year-hall-fame/ |access-date=2023-03-21 |website=Business Observer |language=en}}