Rarely do I get the opportunity to make aware a candidate that I personally know of or have known in earlier years. This one candidate, Ken McGurn, I know a great deal about because I worked for The First Gainesville Corporation in the early nineties. Ken and my immediate boss, Bill Munselle were close friends and taught me so very much that they alone are the reason I developed political awareness. True. Ken McGurn and Bill helped mold me into activism.
Ed Emery of the 3rd district had to drop out of the race due to health issues and Ed endorsed Ken, who picked up the torch for the 3rd congressional district. Best Wishes to Ed as he too had great passion. This area includes Alachua county and the heartbeat and home of the University of Florida.
Let me tell you about Ken. Ken is a Vietnam Veteran and a mover and shaker who can challenge Ted Yoho (R) like no other in this area.
Ken grew up in Daytona Beach. He was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from high school early and started college at age 16. A few days after he turned 18, Ken joined the army to serve our country. He was soon recognized for his leadership abilities and appointed platoon leader over older contemporaries. At age 19 he volunteered for and went to Vietnam. There he was recognized for his abilities and was selected for Infantry Officer Candidate School. He spent time with the 82nd Airborne Division, National Security Agency and the Army Security Agency including a two-year tour in Germany. He was again recognized for his leadership abilities and became one of the military’s youngest Captains at age 22.
Ken left the military after almost 7 years to continue his education at the University of Florida on the G.I. Bill and student loans. He received a Management Degree, a Masters and a PhD in Business. He went on to start several successful companies with his wife, Linda.
I know Ken as being an outstanding leader while serving as President of the Gainesville Apartment Association. I know this personally. He showed great leadership and concern during the dark days of The Gainesville Murders.
Ken has created many opportunites and jobs for the district and his honor and regard for his fellow veterans are beyond comprehension. HE WILL MAKE SURE THAT Florida’s veterans get the help they need.
Through Ken’s volunteer service as Chair of the Workforce Board and in their personal investment and mentoring of startup companies, Ken and Linda were able to help bring hundreds of new high paying jobs to Downtown and to Alachua County. He was instrumental in helping to bring millions of dollars from Tallahassee and Washington to the area. He helped get the local Work Force Board named the best in the country as they thought ‘outside the box’ to bring Alachua County’s unemployment rate to one of the lowest in the State. He started the Downtown Tech Center and Founder’s Pad to incubate small businesses. Ken has received over 60 local, state and national awards for his quality projects and service including a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Certificate of National Merit.
He has been recognized for his philanthropy in a number of organizations including “Life Time Volunteer” from the University of Florida, Community Service Award, University of Florida prestigious “Distinguished Alumni”, Governor Bush’s Sustainable Florida Initiative Award, YMCA, Catholic Charities, Boy Scouts, Hippodrome Theater, and many more.
I could go on and on about this candidate and on a personal level of how caring and strong he was during the 1990’s. I saw him in action. I attended seminars and meetings including working with the apartment association regarding the training of security on the site that I was managing. I can tell you that Ken is unwavering in his commitment to his community service and higher education and business along with veteran issues.
Ted Yoho is the representative of the 3rd congressional district, a tea partier and do nothing candidate. He has done virtually nothing for the better treatment of our veterans. Yoho is a divisive person and the only job I know he created was one for himself. It is time to Bojo Yoho. We need to vote him out and elect a real candidate of passion into this district. I know that Ken, as a combat vet and REAL businessman is the real deal and right choice for Florida.
Ken is a member of 90for90 and a hardworking democrat. I am starting a new group called “ BOJO YOHO”. I would very much like for you folks to join.
Florida should be proud of all of the great candidates we have running… Help them at their websites or 90 for 90.
Learn more about Ken at his website and donate generously.
From the Gainesville Sun
Is this candidate qualified or what ? Who would not hesitate to vote Ken in. He is qualifed to be President in my opinion, can we get him into congress...I say YES WE Can !
This man made Captain while running through the jungles of Vietnam… He served...He survived...He is a success story..Let’s get behind him. he has walked the walk.
x YouTube Video Affiliated OrganizationsDirector Neuronet, LLC
Director Cavidyne, LLC
Director Sporting Odyssey, LLC
Director CCP Fund1 (Real Estate Investment Fund)
Entrepreneur In Residence – University of Florida Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Board Member Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center
Executive Board Emergent 1 – Tech Start-Up Company Investment Group
Past Member Florida Green Building Coalition
Past Member 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness –Committee Chair
Past Chair Alachua/Bradford Region 9 Workforce Board
Past Chair Gold Standard Multi-Media (Medical Software Company)
Past Chair University of Florida Real Estate Advisory Board
Past PAC Chair State Home Builders Association
Past President Board of Directors Florida State Museum of Natural History (Emeritus)
Past President Gainesville Apartment Association
Past Chair Alachua County Community Development Block Grant Board
Past Chair Downtown Redevelopment Agency
Past Chair Downtown Redevelopment Authority
Past Chair Downtown Redevelopment Advisory Board
Past Chair Alachua County Housing Finance Authority
Past Chair Boy Scouts North Florida Council Finance Champaign Committee
Past Chair Gainesville Builders Association PAC Committee
Past Chair Several Chamber of Commerce Committees
Past Vice-President Alachua County Arts Council
Past Member United Way Executive Board
Past Director National Home Builders Association
Past Director Gainesville Builders Association
Past Director Alachua County Early Learning Coalition
Twice Past President Gainesville Chamber Orchestra Board
Twice Past President Gainesville Real Estate Exchangers
Past Owner and Publisher of The Business Journal
Past General Member of other boards like S.P.A.R.K.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION2016 University of Florida – Life Time Volunteer Award
2016 Gainesville Sun – Spirit of Gainesville Community Service Award
2012 University Of Florida “Distinguished Alumni”
2011 Appreciation of Support “Making Strides” Against Breast Cancer
2011 Florida Trend Magazine 2011 “Must Know People” in Gainesville
2010 SEBC Grand Aurora Award for Parking Garage Solar Voltaic Project
2010 SEBC Aurora Award for Solar Voltaic Energy Home
2009 Matheson Historical Society for Significant and Lasting Contributions to History of Alachua County
2009 Chamber of Commerce Annual Leadership Award for Work Force Board
2007 University of Florida CEI Gainesville Entrepreneur of the Year
2007 Alachua Conservation Trust’s Conservation Stewards of the Year
2005 National Alliance to Save Energy 2005 Energy Value Housing Award
2001 South Eastern Building Conference (SEBC) Gold Aurora Award for Best Commercial Project
2001 SEBC (11 Southern States) – Aurora Award for Best Redevelopment
2001 SEBC – Aurora Award for “Best Water Wise” Development (Conservation)
2001 SEBC – Aurora Award for Best Office/Commercial Park
2001 Masonry Association of Florida “Outstanding Masonry Multifamily Project for 2001”.
2001 National Home Builder’s Energy Value Housing Award
2000 Gainesville Sun Newspaper’s “50 People Who Made a Difference in North Central Florida Over the Last Century”
2000 Governor Bush’s Sustainable Florida Initiative Award
2000 Keep Alachua County Beautiful Chairman’s Millennium Gold Award for the people
who made the most difference in the county over the millennium
2000 Gainesville City Beautification First Place Award for Union Street Station Building
2000 Insite Magazine “Gainesville’s 20 Most Interesting People”
2000 Alachua County Commission Appreciation of Voluntary Service
1999 North Central Florida Boy Scout Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Support
1999 Continuous Support of Downtown Festival and Art Show
1998 North Central Florida Boy Scout Recognition for Outstanding Volunteer Support
1998 Gainesville Builder’s Association for Outstanding Volunteer Support
1997 United Way Appreciation of Volunteer Support
1997 Friends of the Gainesville Mounted Patrol Appreciation of Support
1997 Hippodrome State Theater for Contribution to the Arts
1996 YMCA Appreciation Award
1996 Hippodrome State Theater for Exceptional Support
1996 First Place Beautification Award – City of Baytown, Texas
1995 Gainesville Sun Newspaper’s Business People of the Year
1995 Chamber of Commerce’s top volunteers of the year
1994 Appreciation of Service Gainesville Chamber of Commerce
1994 Historic Gainesville Preservation Award for Renovation of the Opera House
1994 Gainesville City Beautification Award for Historic Opera House Renovation
1993 First Place Beautification Award – City of Baytown, Texas
1992 Redevelopment Agency and City Commission Award for Outstanding Renovations
1991 Hippodrome State Theater for Exceptional Support
1990 Stop Children’s Cancer, Inc. Appreciation Award
1989 Alachua County Mental Health Association Appreciation of Support
1989 City Commission Award for a Unique Joint Community Project
1989 Business Gainesville Magazine Real Estate People of the Year
1988 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Certificate of National Merit
1988 Alachua County Arts Council and Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding Support
1988 City Beautification Award for Sun Center East Most Beautiful Atrium Design
1988 Local Architectural Institute of America Award for Outstanding Design
1988 City Beautification Award for Downtown Sun Center West office building
1988 City Beautification Award for Downtown Arlington Square Apartments
1987 Neighborhood Housing Services Neighborhood Preservation Award
1987 City Beautification Award for the Downtown Sun Center East building
1987 City Commission Award for Outstanding Renovations of the Sun Center
1986 City Commission Award for Outstanding Renovations of the Florida Theatre
1984 Alachua County Coordinated Child Care Award for Major Program Assistance
1983 City Commission Award for Outstanding Renovations at 108-112 South Main Street
CONTRIBUTE TO KEN’S CAMPAIGN KEN’S NEWSLETTER NEWS Interlachen July 4th Support!Interlachen, Florida July 4th parade and festival