GEORGE S. LEMIEUX

CHAIRMAN, GUNSTER, FORT LAUDERDALE

Gunster is a full service commercial and private wealth law firm rooted in Florida’s growth. Gunster recently merged with the Katz Barron firm and created the Arrow Group to expand its governmental relations capabilities in Tallahassee. LeMieux was appointed to be a U.S. senator from Florida from 2009 to 2011. He started in Gunster’s firm leadership in 2008. He’s currently serving a two-year term as chair of the Florida Council of 100, a nonpartisan group of Florida CEOs that advises the governor and state leaders. LeMieux has also co-chaired the Broward Debate Initiative — which raises funds for public school kids to compete in speech and debate — for over a decade. It’s the largest debate program in America.

EDUCATION: Emory University (BA), Georgetown University (JD)

FIRST JOB: Working construction with my father was my first job. He paid me 50 cents an hour. When a friend’s father offered me $7 an hour to work in his home remodeling business, I left to work with him. My father eventually capitulated and matched the new pay. My father always gave me the most difficult jobs, literally ditch digging. His hope, later expressed, was that physical labor would motivate me to study and one day land me a job inside in the air conditioning.

DREAM ALTERNATE CAREER: I love working with young people, so I can imagine myself teaching one day.

MENTEE IMPACT: One of the fellows I worked with at my public policy institute at Palm Beach Atlantic University went on to be an assistant to the president of the United States. I like to think that the public policy conversations we had led her to a career in public service.