Phil Ammann
The latest edition of the 4th Floor Files speaks with Thomas Hobbs, the newest member of the Liberty Partners lobbying team.
Serving as Liberty’s Director of Operations and Government Relations, Hobbs brings a decade of experience with state government, including both the Governor’s Office and the Florida House of Representatives. As a helicopter pilot for the Florida National Guard, Hobbs’ lobbying specialty is in a number of military-related issues: aerospace, domestic security, military affairs and political communications.
Here is the file on Thomas Hobbs:
Significant other? Children? Grand kids?
None at this time.
In 25 words or less, explain what you do.
I’m an educator, taking the issues of the clients and educating the legislators as well as educating the clients on the legislative process and its complexities.
Without using the words Democrat, Independent or Republican, conservative or liberal, describe your political persuasion.
I want a government that you don’t have to question and keep tabs on. I want one that sticks to the original intent of the safety and security of the country or state as a whole, while allowing the smallest and most personal form of local government to work.
If you have one, what is your motto?
Go Army, beat Navy!
During your career, have you had a favorite pro bono client?
Haven’t had the honor yet.
Three favorite charities.
Florida Baptist Childrens Home, Shriners, Hospice
Any last-day-of-Session traditions?
Unfortunately it seems that over the past few years I always have National Guard drill on the same weekend as Sine Die, so my tradition is packing my Army gear and driving the Jax to fly.
What are you most looking forward to during the 2015 Legislative Session.
Rekindling friendships and making new acquaintances in the process. And of course, making the clients happy!
Professional accomplishment of which you are most proud?
Graduating from US Army flight school and being a Blackhawk pilot in the Florida Army National Guard. Funny story, when I was about five years old there was a member of my church in Umatilla names Alan Hays (yes, Sen. Hays now). He gave me an old Army helicopter helmet he had laying around as I was always playing with toy airplanes and such around the church. We moved away when I was six, and I hand’t seen him for about 20 years or so until I stated working in the House in 2008. I was just selected to go to flight school and he was the first person I ran into and told. He hadn’t even remembered he had given it to me as it had been so long, but I still have the helmet to this day. Sometimes you never know how a small gesture to a child will shape their lives in the future.
Lobbyists are often accused of wearing Gucci loafers; do you own a pair of Gucci loafers? If not, why not?
No! I only own Allen Edmonds dress shoes. American made, American owned, and rebuildiable so they last for years.
Who is your favorite Florida Capitol Press Corps reporter and why?
Matt Dixon, Packers fans are always fun to watch football games with.
Other than SaintPetersBlog.com, your reading list includes…
Mostly the Flipboard Space feed. My secret nerdy passion is the space program. It all started with an Apollo mission nightlight as a kid.
What swear word do you use most often?
I try not to, however probably dammit. I think I first said it when I was about four. I came home from spending the weekend with my granddad saying it. Mom wasn’t too happy…
What is your most treasured possession?
I have quite a few, but probably my silver Army Aviation wings I received on graduation day.
The best hotel in Florida is…
Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne.
You’ve just learned that you will be hosting a morning talk show about Florida politics. Who are the first four guests you’d invite to appear?
Jeb, Dennis Miller, Jennifer Green, and of course Peter Schorsch.
Favorite movie.
The Right Stuff. A very underrated movie covering the beginning of the US Space Program and NASA.
When you pig out, what do you eat?
Mo Betta BBQ!
If you could have dinner with a historical figure no longer living, who would it be?
Werner Von Braun, father of the US Space Program and the driving force behind us going to the moon.
