L.A. "Skip" Bafalis, Partner, is a former five term Republican Congressman from Florida and a former nominee for Governor of Florida who has had extensive experience in trade, taxes, finance, business and regulatory policy in both the public and private sectors.

 

While representing his Florida district in Congress from 1973-1983, he was a member of the Ways and Means Committee, an active member of the Trade Subcommittee and the Ranking Member of the Public Assistance & Unemployment Compensation Subcommittee. He became known in Congress for his expertise in trade and tax matters and authored and managed passage of wide-ranging estate and gift tax legislation.

 

After he left Congress, he joined the law firm of Shapo, Freeman and Freedman and later was an executive Vice President of a Washington government affairs firm. He has participated in numerous business ventures and his detailed knowledge of the interaction between government and business is based on direct experience in both areas. He has been an investment banker, a real estate developer and active in numerous civic organizations.

 

A native of Massachusetts, he holds a B.A. degree from St. Anselm's College in Manchester, New Hampshire, which has honored him with its Alumni Award of Merit for his contributions to the college and to the nation. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the rank of Captain.