Robert McClure

President & CEO, James Madison Institute, Tallahassee & Washington, D.C.

The James Madison Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute located in Tallahassee. It champions free-market principles and conducts research on such issues as criminal justice, health care, taxes and regulatory environments. “Our mission is to tether the Sunshine State to the wisdom of free-market capitalism, limited government, economic liberty and the principles that have made our nation great,” says McClure, who has been president and CEO for 19 years.

EDUCATION: Furman University (BS), Florida State University (MS), University of Florida (Ph.D.)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: As a seventh-generation Floridian, I would work to protect Florida’s natural treasures from the Keys and the Everglades to the St. Johns River to Perdido Key.

MENTOR: My grandfather, who I spent a lot of time with growing up, was my mentor. He was a true Florida cowboy and taught me to treat everyone with respect regardless of their station in life.

READING: A Land Remembered, by Patrick D. Smith

INSPIRING FLORIDIAN: Stephen C. O’Connell, the former Florida Supreme Court justice and president of the University of Florida, who led the university during some very challenging times

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: At our core, most people want the same things in life. We’re more alike than we are different.