Jake Johansson is running for the District 8 State Senate Seat, a voting area that includes most of Volusia County and the northern portion of Brevard County.  He is a retired U.S. Navy Captain, a combat-decorated Naval Flight Officer, Pentagon and White House Aide, small business owner, and proud husband and parent.  Jake has served the country and the public all of his adult life.

 

He works hard at self-improvement and considers himself a life-long learner.  He attended night school while on active duty and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management before receiving his commission as an officer.  He has flown multiple combat tours in the Middle East in support of Operation Southern Watch, Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.  Jake was awarded multiple awards for heroism in flight and a Bronze Star for leading his Task Group in flying missions in support of ground forces in a war zone.  

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In addition to his combat tours, Jake served as a Pentagon Aide for the Chief of Naval Operations and Secretary of the Navy at the Pentagon.  He was chosen to serve at the White House as Naval Aide to the Vice President where he carried the Vice Presidential “Football” and helped develop policy affecting national security.  He received the Defense Superior Service Medal for his actions while on duty in the White House.   

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Jake’s last tour of duty before retiring was as Commanding Officer of several Naval bases in Norfolk, VA.  He worked collaboratively with green energy firms to establish a wind farm in the vicinity of Naval facilities, balancing environmental concerns with national security. He also found cost cutting measures to save hundreds of thousands of dollars by combining bases, thus decreasing administrative costs to the Chief of Installations Command.

 

Upon retirement he became the Port Orange City Manager for over 5 years.  He worked with Council to establish 5 strategic priorities:  Public Safety, Strong Infrastructure, Quality of Life, Economic Development and Fiscal Sustainability.   These strategic priorities were used to focus staff, budget items and inform citizens, adding to the transparency in our government.  He ensured:

• Public safety was never defunded

• A fiscally conservative balanced budget was presented to Council

• The environment remained a high priority with multiple projects and policies

• Economic development focused on better jobs for Port Orange

• Port Orange government was as transparent as possible, ethical and respectful to all people.  

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Jake transitioned from public service and concentrated on his leadership consultant business.  The vision of Core Concepts Leadership is to build effective leaders who are innovative, resilient and true influencers in the global workforce.  He concentrates on Executive Coaching, Keynote Speaking, and Leadership Training for private, public and non-profit organizations of all sizes.  He has speaking and executive coaching clients mainly on the east coast.  His consulting firm continues to serve the public by providing leadership and facilitation services to the Port Orange South Daytona Chamber of Commerce for the Youth Civic Leadership Experience and adult leadership for the South East Volusia Chamber of Commerce.  

   

Jake has been a member of many boards and committees and served most recently in the following appointments:

Daytona State College Facilities Planning Advisory Council

Senior Advisor for the American Flood Coalition

International City Managers Association Veteran's Advisory Board

Chair of the First United Methodist Church Facilities and Finance Committee

Executive Committee of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council

Chairman of Brevard, Flagler, Volusia Career Source Consortium

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Jake is determined to continue his servant leadership through public service, working for the citizens of District 8 to obtain better jobs and improve quality of life for current and future generations.