PALM COAST, Fla. – The Flagler Tiger Bay Club will kick off its 2026 Spring Speaker Series on Wednesday, January 21, with featured speaker Jeff Brandes, former Florida Senator and Founder and President of the Florida Policy Project.

The luncheon meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hammock Dunes Club, located at 30 Ave Royale in Palm Coast. The cost to attend is $45 for members and $50 for guests. Advance registration is required and available online.

Brandes will present “The Influence of Nonpartisan Policy Organizations: How Research and Collaboration Shape Florida’s Economy, Governance, and Quality of Life.” His remarks will explore how independent, data-driven policy organizations play a growing role in addressing some of Florida’s most pressing challenges, including housing affordability, property insurance, criminal justice reform, and transportation.

A respected and innovative leader, Brandes served in the Florida Legislature from 2010 to 2022, representing District 24 in Pinellas County. During his tenure, he earned a reputation for independent thinking and bipartisan problem-solving, often championing forward-looking solutions to complex policy issues. He has been a strong advocate for free-market principles, regulatory reform, and tax policies aimed at promoting economic growth across the state.

Brandes is also widely recognized for his leadership on emerging technologies. For more than a decade, he has hosted the Florida Automated Vehicle Summit, bringing together national industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers to address transportation innovation, including self-driving vehicles and rideshare technology.

A U.S. Army veteran, Brandes served as an officer in the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq, an experience that shaped his approach to leadership and public service. In the Legislature, he was a vocal proponent of prison reform, public safety improvements, and criminal justice modernization. He remains a leading voice on property insurance reform, an issue of critical importance to Florida residents.

Since leaving office, Brandes founded the Florida Policy Project, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to researching best practices and improving outcomes in key policy areas. The organization focuses on housing affordability, property insurance, criminal justice, and transportation, with the goal of informing and influencing state policy through credible research and collaboration.

A business owner and community leader, Brandes serves on several boards and resides in St. Petersburg. His work continues to focus on making Florida a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

For additional information and to register, visit the Flagler Tiger Bay Club website at:
https://www.flaglertigerbayclub.com/event-6487106

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