Candidate: Mark Lee Futch

A life-long Republican, I am a candidate for District 1 of the Charlotte County Airport Authority Board, where I will work to promote General Aviation and their supportive businesses, the film industry and sensible growth for the flying customers of Charlotte County. A SPA (Seaplane Pilot Assn.) Foundation Board Member, I am a Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor with over 28,000 hours, of which 24,000 is in the Seaplane. In this time, I have flown from Alaska to Central America, the Caribbean and all of the lower 48 States. As a Flight Instructor, I conducted over one hundred seaplane ratings. Myself and wife of 41 years, Kathy,owned and operated Boca Grande Seaplane Air Taxi Service based in Boca Grande, Florida for 35 years. My grandfather, one of 13 children,was born on the North End of the Island and we have brought up two very successful children there: Matt, who is a Redstone Arsenal graduate and a Bomb Technician with the Orange County (Florida) Sheriff Department and recent recipient of the Governor’s Medal of Heroism for his part in the Pulse Club attack; Rey Ann, a graduate of University of Tampa recently working with top advertising accounts there and receiver of the Adrian Award in advertising. Each married with children; Francis Futch, Olivia and Pierce Urbat. A third generation Tarpon fishing guide in Boca Grande, I am in my 41st year and hold two wins in the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, I have performed seaplane stunts in a half dozen feature films and dozens of National television commercials and have the distinguished honor of being selected for the Nominating Committee for the film SAG Awards for 2015. My passion for aviation began at the age of seventeen, taking the first flight lesson at the Punta Gorda Airport. My mother, Shirley Cassady was Miss Punta Gorda of 1945, and the Burnham family were pioneers here, along with the Robert’s and the Futch’s. Eventually I put myself through flight school by working as a charter boat Captain in Boca Grande where my father, Karl’s family settled in the 1800’s from Key West and I still operate charter boat, “Sitarah.” In one last notable statement, I have the credit to my name of being written in numerous novels, including a character in the best seller Night Moves of long time author-friend, Randy Wayne White. I have recently thrown my hat into the ring of politics as a candidate for the Charlotte County Airport Authority. I can be reached on my cell: 941-740-0662 or \"like me\" on facebook.