Candidate: Randy Knepper

Randy Knepper is a common-sense conservative Republican and a Florida native desiring to serve our people as an advocate for property owners and small business owners and their employees.  People matter!  A man of integrity and moral character, Randy is a skilled businessman with a strong financial background and managerial experience needed for the challenges ahead in Clay County.  Randy is a doer.

He is a Florida Licensed Real Estate Broker drawing on his extensive experience as a community banker specializing in commercial real estate transactions; legislative experience on Capitol Hill; and real estate development.  He is President of Knepper Enterprises, LLC in Fleming Island.  Randy served as President & CEO of Heritage Bancshares, Inc. and Heritage Bank of North Florida in Orange Park.  Previously, he was an executive officer with Independent Bankers Bank of Florida serving as a correspondent banker providing loan participations and other comprehensive services to community banks and holding companies throughout North Florida, Southwest Georgia and South Alabama.  He also developed residential subdivisions in Pensacola, Florida as President & CEO of Brantley-Knepper Development, Inc.  He was President & CEO of American Bank & Trust of Pensacola, Florida.  Randy simultaneously served as a Director of Bay Bank & Trust Company of Panama City, Florida and as Charter Director of Beach Community Bank of Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  He returned to Northwest Florida after serving over a decade as Administrative Assistant & Chief of Staff to Congressman Earl Hutto.  While on Capitol Hill, he distinguished himself by serving two consecutive elected terms as President of the prestigious U.S. House of Representatives Administrative Assistants Association.

The Kneppers are active members of Hibernia Baptist Church in Fleming Island where he has served as a Deacon, Bible Study Group Teacher, and Chairman of the Real Men’s Event.  Recent services include Vice Chairman and Treasurer of the Florida Baptist Witness Board of Directors;  and on the national Southern Baptist Convention Committee on Nominations. He served as Trustee for LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee, and as Chairman of the Investment Committee, and on Broadman & Holman Publishers Board.  Randy served as Second Vice President of the Florida Baptist State Convention.  Other leadership capacities include the Clay County Chamber of Commerce; the American Family Council; and Black Creek Council of Boy Scouts.

 Past leadership in other organizations included:  Florida Department of Environmental Protection Advisory Board; Florida Baptist Financial Services, Inc., Director; Envision Escarosa Steering Committee; Escambia Charter School, Inc., Director; Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce, Vice President; Armed Services Council, Chairman; Pensacola Committee of 100; Florida Defense Conversion and Transition Commission appointed by Governor Chiles, Commissioner; Northwest Florida Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Director; Florida Board for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Director; East Hill Christian School, President & Chairman of Board; East Hill Christian School Foundation, Charter President; Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Defense Preparedness Association; Baptist Hospital, Director; Gulf Coast Council of Boy Scouts, Director; Olive Baptist Church, Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School Teacher, former Chairman of Finance, Chairman of Personnel; Pensacola Rotary Club; Florida State Society; Congressional Staff Prayer Fellowship; Congressional Advisory Committees of both the US Department of Agriculture Graduate School; and the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum.

His speaking talents are sought by many distinguished organizations including:  Family Research Council of America; The Leadership Institute; Washington Workshops; The Reserve Officers Association of the United States; The Christian Embassy; Sears, Roebuck & Company Governmental Affairs Workshop; International Workshop; Tam Kang University, Republic of China; Gideons International; Statesman with a Purpose Seminar; The Taft Seminar for Teachers; and various business, civic,  educational and religious groups.  He has served as an economic and financial advisor to the "PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL," "CLIMATE," "CHRISTIANITY TODAY" and "BUILDER/ARCHITECT," as well as other magazines and newspapers.  Churches, architects, and professional organizations seek his counsel for major building projects and fund-raising ventures for strategic and financial planning. 

Distinctions include:  Who's Who Among Top Executives for 1997; "Builder/Architect Magazine" featured developer, 1996: Okaloosa-Walton Community College's nominee for Florida's 1993 LeRoy Collins Outstanding Alumni Award; "Golden Rule Award" for 1991, J.C. Penny Company; "Distinguished Service Award" for 1990 & 1991, Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce; Who's Who in American Politics for 1979-1989; 1985 edition of The International Directory of Distinguished Leadership; 1988 International Edition of Men of Achievement; Harvard University Fellow in the Program for Senior Managers in Government, awarded a full scholarship and was elected by his class as the graduation speaker and emcee for the 1986 ceremony.  He held a TOP SECRET national security clearance with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.