Samuel Mutch, AICP, JD (Candidate for Treasurer)

Professional Experience:

• Whittle & Mutch of Florida, Inc., - President of a family-owned real estate investment company from 2011 to the present
• Samuel A. Mutch, Urban Planner—Provided professional planning services to local governments, people, and neighborhoods from 1986 to 2020
• Samuel A. Mutch and Partners, Attorneys at Law, Provided legal services to local governments and private clients in the areas of government services, civil law, and criminal law from 1992 to 2013
• County Attorney Gilchrist County, 1997 – 2002
• Municipal attorney for four governments in Alachua and Clay Counties 1995 – 2003
• Planning Division Director – Citrus County. 1987 – 1988
• Acting Community Development Director – City of South Miami. 1986
• Planning Director – City of Ft Collins, Colorado. 1984 - 1985
• Planning Manager – City of Gainesville. 1982 – 1984
• Acting Personnel Director – City of Gainesville 1983 – 1984
• Community Planner – City of Gainesville 1976 – 1982
• Local Assistance Planner, North Central Florida RPC 1974 – 1976
• Planning Intern – Ohio Environmental Agency Summer 1973

Educational Background:

• Juris Doctor, University of Florida 1992
• Master of Public Administration, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. 1986
• Master of City Planning, The Ohio State University, 1974
• Marietta College, Bachelor of Arts in History. 1971

APA/APA Florida Experience:

• I attempted to establish a section for north central Florida during the period 1975-1976 with another planner. Three luncheon meetings were held, but there was not enough interest, and the section failed. There were so few of us then.
• AIP by examination in 1978. Changed to AICP in 1979

Position Statement

Over my years of urban planning practice, I concentrated on providing my clients, whether local governments or people within the community I served, solid planning advice they could use to assist them in making decisions in the future for their communities. I enjoyed volunteering within the communities in which I lived. I chose local not-for-profit agencies as a means to give back to my community. I began to concentrate on ensuring that the groups I worked with on a voluntary basis had solid finances. I have been the treasurer or president of the board for many not-for-profit organizations in the Gainesville-Alachua County area. This included the local chapter of the Children’s Home Society of Florida, Planned Parenthood of North Central Florida, the Presbyterian Student Center at UF, Family Promise (providing services to homeless families), and Grace Marketplace (providing services to the homeless). In the national and international service arena, I was on the Board of Directors of Save the Manatee Club and the Snow Leopard Trust.

I look forward to providing leadership on the board of the APA Florida. Our chapter is one of the largest in APA and it and its members are an important part of directing the growth of Florida in the future. As treasurer of the chapter, I want to continue the strong financial basis upon which the chapter is built.

At this time, I want to give back to the planning profession for what it has provided to me over the past fifty years. As an old planner, I have innovative ideas for our chapter. I am not set in my ways. I pride myself on reaching consensus when serving on boards of directors. I want to manage the chapter's finances accurately and honestly. I ask for your support for my candidacy.