Robert "Bob" Martinez was the fortieth governor of Florida from 1987 to 1991 and prior to that he was the mayor of Tampa from 1979 to 1986. Martinez ran for the office of mayor of Tampa in 1979. While Mayor, the city built one of America's first refuse to energy plants, a performing arts center, convention center and reconstructed the Lowry Park Zoo. Bob Martinez was the person who spearheaded and annexed thousands of acres of undeveloped land that became new Tampa (Tampa Palms, Hunter's Green etc.)
I met Governor Martinez at Avila so long ago that I can't remember the year. His son was a successful mortgage broker at the time and both Martinez, father and son, love to talk real estate! I don't even remember where we were when we took this picture, but he and his family are a delight to be around. I'm proud to call him "friend".
