Jim Toedtman, a veteran journalist and director of Flagler College’s Forum on Government and Public Policy lecture series, will receive a distinguished Columbia Journalism School Alumni Award in April.
According to the Columbia Journalism School, the alumni awards are presented annually for a distinguished journalism career in any medium, an outstanding single journalistic accomplishment, a notable contribution to journalism education or an achievement in related fields. The awards, which represent recognition of excellence by professional peers, are highly prized by the Journalism School’s alumni, who include many of the most respected members of the profession.
“This is a terrific award from a great institution,” Toedtman said. “It is really a tribute to the many very talented people I’ve worked with and for in a long career from my early days as a newspaper reporter and editor, then as a magazine editor and most recently in and outside the classroom at Flagler.”
Toedtman is recognized for his distinguished career as a reporter and editor. Before taking the editorship of AARP Bulletin, he was editor of The Baltimore News American, executive editor of the Boston Herald and managing editor of Newsday. He has covered local government, Congress and the White House and has reported from three continents. At Newsday, he was a member of the reporting team that won the 1970 Pulitzer Prize, and he helped direct Newsday reporters who won Pulitzers in 1993 and 2002. He was named editor of the AARP Bulletin in 2005, and in this role he was consistently recognized for excellence in covering a range of public policy and consumer issues. In addition to graduating from Columbia University, he attained his bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster and studied at the University of Queensland, Australia, as a Rotary Foundation Fellow. In 2012, he accepted the directorship of Flagler’s Forum on Government and Public Policy. For more than 30 years, the lecture series has invited nationally-recognized journalists and commentators to St. Augustine to discuss issues of importance in regional, state and federal government.
“Jim’s distinguished professional career speaks for itself,” said Flagler College President Dr. William T. Abare, Jr. “He is the consummate professional, and he has contributed in numerous ways to the betterment of our college. I am pleased to know that he is to be recognized by his alma mater for his many accomplishments.”
Toedtman, along with Columbia Journalism School’s alumni Matt Bai, Erika Dilday and Robin McDowell, will be formally recognized during the school’s Alumni Weekend on April 29.
Director
Long-time Policy Advisor and Legislative Affairs Director Rob Johnson Joins The Mayernick Group
The Mayernick Group, one of Florida’s leading boutique government relations firms today announced the expansion of its team with the addition of Rob Johnson, long-time policy advisor and legislative and Cabinet affairs director to Attorney General Pam Bondi. Johnson brings more than 16 years of experience in Florida’s executive and legislative branches as well as the Florida Cabinet.
Rob Johnson
“The Mayernick Group is excited that Rob is joining as a partner in our firm,” said Frank Mayernick. “We have experienced significant growth and know that as a well-respected professional, Rob has strong relationships and knowledge of the process that will help us continue to serve our current and future clients.”
Since 2007, Johnson served as director of legislative and Cabinet affairs for Florida Attorney General Bondi. Prior to that, he served as Cabinet affairs director to Attorney General Bill McCollum. Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Johnson served as Gov. Jeb Bush’s deputy director of Cabinet affairs and clemency issues.
Johnson has expertise in navigating complex policy issues including property insurance, bond finance, and environmental and State Board of Trustees issues. Rob was extensively involved in the 2003 Workers’ Compensation overhaul while serving as legislative advisor to Florida’s first CFO. He also worked closely with members of the Florida Legislature and House and Senate Leadership on several of General Bondi’s priorities, including passage of synthetic drug legislation, human trafficking measures and bills providing much needed resources to victims of violent crimes.
“I want to thank Rob for his 16 years of service to the State of Florida as a policy advisor, Cabinet aide and legislative affairs director,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi in a statement. “Rob had a great opportunity in the private sector that he couldn’t pass up and he will be greatly missed.”
The Mayernick Group has been recognized and ranked among the Top 20 firms earning more than $250,000 in the state and saw steady growth in the first three quarters of 2016. According to an analysis by LobbyTools, the firm brought in an estimated $430,000 in the third quarter of 2016.
“I look forward to working with professionals like Frank and Tracy and am committed to providing the firm’s clients with sound strategic counsel as we move into the 2017 Legislative Session,” said Johnson.
Johnson, an avid golfer, grew up in Ft. Myers, Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University. He and his wife, Alia Faraj-Johnson, senior vice president and Florida Public Affairs leader for Hill+Knowlton Strategies, live in Tallahassee with their 8-year old daughter, who is also a golfer.
The Mayernick Group is a full-service government relations firm located in the heart of Tallahassee, Florida. Founded by Frank and Tracy Mayernick, The Mayernick Group helps clients navigate through the Legislative process and policy issues before the Executive branch of Florida government. Its team of experts collectively has more than 50 years of government relations experience with an emphasis on public policy, appropriations, and insurance and health issues.
“I look forward to working with professionals like Frank and Tracy and am committed to providing the firm’s clients with sound strategic counsel as we move into the 2017 Legislative Session,” said Johnson.
Johnson, an avid golfer, grew up in Ft. Myers, Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University. He and his wife, Alia Faraj-Johnson, senior vice president and Florida Public Affairs leader for Hill+Knowlton Strategies, live in Tallahassee with their 8-year old daughter, who is also a golfer.
The Mayernick Group is a full-service government relations firm located in the heart of Tallahassee, Florida. Founded by Frank and Tracy Mayernick, The Mayernick Group helps clients navigate through the Legislative process and policy issues before the Executive branch of Florida government. Its team of experts collectively has more than 50 years of government relations experience with an emphasis on public policy, appropriations, and insurance and health issues.
