Scott Clemons

Background

Clemons, Scott was born on February 13, 1960 in Panama City, Florida, United States. Son of Gerry Clemons.

Education

He graduated from Bay High School where he served as student body president. And attended the University of the South, where he served as president of the Student Assembly and received a B.A.

Career

He is the mayor of Panama City, Florida, and the former state representative for the area from 1990 to 1998. While in the Florida Legislature, Clemons served as freshman class president, chairman of the telecommunications and utilities committee, and vice chairman of the banking and corporations committee. In the spring of 1998, Clemons announced his intent not to seek re-election in order "to focus on his business and spend more time with his family."

He then went to Mercer University where he earned a law degree.

After receiving his Juris Doctor, Clemons returned to Panama City and worked for the law offices of Bryant, Higby & Williams, concentrating primarily in insurance defense. Clemons currently serves as the president of The Clemons Company, Inc., an insurance agency, which was founded by his father, Gerry Clemons, in 1957. Clemons joined the company in 1991.

Clemons' charitable and civic service activities include positions on the Board of Directors of the United Way, Early Childhood Services, and Bay County Chamber of Commerce. Statewide service includes an appointment to the Florida Commission on Ethics. In 2010, Clemons was one of a handful of prominent Florida Democrats to break with his party and endorse the Independent US Senate candidacy of Governor Charlie Crist, a former Republican, rather than Democratic nominee Kendrick Meek.

After four successful runs as for the state legislature, Scott Clemons returned to politics when he announced in early 2007 his intentions to run against incumbent mayor Lauren DeGeorge. Two other men, Cliff Fleming and veteran city commissioner Bob Barnard also entered the race. The News Herald reported on April 8, 2007 that Clemons was well in the lead for fundraising with the campaign.

Clemons had raised $73,800. Barnard had raised $50,020. Fleming had raised $13,750 and the incumbent had raised $4,270.

Clemons and DeGeorge were the top vote getters in the April 17, 2007 initial election. Clemons went on to defeat DeGeorge in the May 15, 2007 runoff election. After the runoff election, new mayor Clemons made positive press when he offered to pay Boy Scout troops for the signs that they picked up.

Membership

Member of the board of directors Artificial Kidney Center, Panama City, 1988, United Way,1990-. Member core planning team Bay County Plan for Excellence, since 1991. President new directions American Cancer Society, 1988, advisory board, 1991.

Chancellor Grace Episcopal Church. Active Bay County Hunger and Homeless Coalition. President Democratic Freshman Class, 1991.

Member Panama City Life Underwriters Association Delta Theta, Phi Delta Phi.

Interests

• Avocations: skiing, diving, sailing, traveling. E-mail: [email protected].

Connections

Father:

Gerry Clemons. Clemons