John M. Drew

John M. Drew (born May 31, 1973) is the current Tax Collector of Nassau County, Florida.[1] He was first appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in May 2006 [2] and elected to the office later that year. [3]

Drew oversees property tax collection, the Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles, the Division of Driver Licenses, and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission.[4] He has also volunteered with veterans' groups, education efforts, the arts[5] and Micah's Place, the first Nassau County shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Background

Early life and family

John M. Drew was born in Nassau County, Florida, to schoolteacher Mary Tom Drew and mill worker Joe Drew. John is married to Dr. Catherine Hardee Drew, PhD, clinical psychologist and C.E.O. of Florida Psychological Associates. They have one son, Joseph Drew.[6] John and Joseph performed together in the musicals "Scrooge" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" at Amelia Musical Playhouse.[5]

Education

John M. Drew graduated from Fernandina Beach High School after founding the "Nassau County Teen-Age Republicans".[4]

He holds B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from Jacksonville University, where he was baccalaureate speaker and was recognized with:

  • "Scott Amos Alumni of Distinction" Award,
  • "Presidential Distinguished Service" Award
  • Order of the Green Key (Honorary Leadership Society)
  • Order of the Dolphin[7]

In addition to serving on the Jacksonville University's Alumni Board of Governors, he was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus.[8] He was also the youngest-ever graduate of their E.M.B.A. program.

Career

Tax collector

As tax collector, John M. Drew has won multiple Legacy Awards – a designation of excellence from the Florida Tax Collectors Association.[9] Nassau County was the first Tax Collector's Office to issue concealed weapons permit renewals. He also created a new program enabling Florida tax collectors to provide citizens with duplicate birth certificates – a program now in place across the state.

Public service

In addition to his work as tax collector, John Drew also serves as:

  • Chair of Legislative Policy[10] (Gubernatorial Appointee): Northeast Florida Regional Council[11]
  • Member (and previous Chair), Nassau County's ADA Advisory Committee[4]

Drew was President of the statewide Florida Tax Collector's Association, and served as:[12]

  • Chair, Legislative Committee
  • Chair, Driver License Coalition
  • Chair, Hunting & Fishing Coalition
  • Chair, Education Committee
  • Chair, Long Range and Strategic Planning Committee[4]
  • Participant, Kids Tag Art Program (which raised $1M for public schools)[13]

On a national level, Drew is a member of the Legislative Committee of the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers and Finance Officers[permanent dead link‍], an affiliate of the only national organization that represents county governments in the United States.[14]

Republican Party

Drew was previously the Vice Chairman of the Nassau County Republican Party, and has served as its Precinct Committeeman since 2000.[4]

Past affiliations include:

  • President of the Nassau County Young Republicans
  • Vice Chairman of the Nassau County Republican Party
  • 2000 Campaign Manager for Florida State Representative Aaron Bean
  • Executive Board Member, Nassau County Republican Party[7]

Community service

Drew helped to found Micah's Place,[15] a facility in Nassau County for domestic violence victims. He went on to serve seven years on their board.

Drew serves on the board of the Nassau Education Foundation,[16] which provides classroom grants to public schools and recognizes outstanding teachers and students.

He has also served as:

  • President: Nassau Friends of Scouting
  • President: Nassau County Volunteer Center
  • Chairman: Amelia Island Montessori School Board of Directors
  • President: Fernandina Beach Optimist Club
  • 1st Vice President: Fernandina Beach Shrine Club
  • Deacon: First Presbyterian Church of Fernandina Beach[4]
  • Volunteer: Amelia Musical Playhouse[5]

Drew is the only Honorary Member of both the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Fire Fighters in Nassau County.

References

  1. ^ "Public Notice: 2020 Tax Roll Open for Payment". Fernandina Beach News Leader. November 3, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  2. ^ Hurst, Mary (May 20, 2006). "Governor Taps Drew as New Tax Collector". Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on January 26, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  3. ^ Davis, Rachel (September 6, 2006). "Drew Returned to Tax Office". Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on March 14, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "John M. Drew, Nassau County Tax Collector". Island Chamber of Commerce. December 9, 2020. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Thamm, Suanne (2020-12-18). "Amelia Musical Playhouse Presents Scrooge". Fernandina Observer. Archived from the original on 2022-07-27. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
  6. ^ "Candidate: John M. Drew". Voter Focus. September 6, 2012. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "John Mitchael Drew". Tax Collector: Nassau County. 2020-01-01. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "JU Honors John Drew as Distinguished Alumnus". News Leader. November 4, 2010. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23.
  9. ^ Thamm, Suanne (October 4, 2018). "Nassau County Tax Collector John Drew Receives State Award for Excellence". Fernandina Observer. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  10. ^ "Standing Committees". Northeast Florida Regional Council. Archived from the original on 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  11. ^ "2019–2020 Board Officers". Northeast Florida Regional Council. Archived from the original on 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  12. ^ "Drew Leads State Tax Collectors". News Leader (Fernandina Beach). October 13, 2011. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23.
  13. ^ "Florida Tax Collectors Kids Tag Art Program Expects to Hit $1 Million in Classroom Support". Florida Tax Collectors Association. 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2020-12-09. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  14. ^ "Membership: National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers & Finance Officers". NACCTFO. 2020-12-14. Retrieved 2020-12-14.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ Levine-Brown, Patti (November 24, 2001). "JU students present plans to non-profits". Florida Times-Union.
  16. ^ "Nassau Education Foundation". Nassau Education Foundation. Archived from the original on 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2020-12-14.