John D. Rood

Mr. Rood began his real estate career in 1983 as founder of The Vestcor Companies. Under his direction, the company focused on brokerage of multifamily properties and then expanded into real estate investments, development, and construction. As the managing partner for over 71 investment partnerships, Mr. Rood is responsible for acquisition or development, management and disposition of properties in the portfolio. A total of fifty-seven communities, consisting of over 14,000 units, have been acquired or developed by partnerships managed by Mr. Rood.

The Ambassador's commitment to public and professional service is reflected in his many activities outside his professional life. In 1999, Florida Governor Jeb Bush appointed Ambassador Rood to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, where he served as both a commissioner and chairman until 2004.

Mr. Rood is a former board member of the James Madison Institute. He is a Rotarian and past president of the Rotary Club of Mandarin. He was a member of the University of North Florida Business Advisory Council and has served as a visiting professor at the university. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez appointed Mr. Rood to the Advisory Council on Renewal Communities to help local communities take advantage of tax incentives to stimulate job growth and economic development.

Mr. Rood was appointed by Mayor John Peyton to serve as co-chairman on the Jacksonville Journey. This program addressed the rise in Jacksonville's crime and resulted in a multifaceted approach that was implemented by Mayor Peyton. Mr. Rood is a founding member of the Tiger Academy which provides the children of Jacksonville's northwest quadrant a structured and nurturing learning environment.

In 2009, Ambassador Rood was appointed by Florida Governor Crist as the Republican Party of Florida Finance Chairman. Mr. Rood served on the board of Alico Inc. (ALCO) from May 2009 until November 2013. In January 2010, Mr. Rood was appointed by Governor Crist to serve on the Board of Governors of the State University System where he was a member until September 2013. In April 2010, Mr. Rood received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Flagler College in recognition of his public service. Mr. Rood was elected to membership on the Board of Trustees of Flagler College in October 2010.

In 2012, he became a member of the Board of Advisors for the JU Public Policy Institute. He was a member of the Florida Council of 100 from November 2009 until February 2019. Mr. Rood currently serves on the Board of Directors of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF). He is also a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Risk Committee of Black Knight, Inc. (BKI).

In November 2015, Mr. Rood was appointed to the Jacksonville Port Authority Board of Directors by Mayor Lenny Curry, where he served until July 2016. Governor Rick Scott appointed Mr. Rood to the Florida Prepaid College Board in July 2016, where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board.

In September 2016, Governor Scott appointed Mr. Rood to the Enterprise Florida, Inc. and Space Florida, Inc. Board of Directors, where he served until February 2019. In 2018 The National Association of Corporate Directors named Mr. Rood to the 2018 NACD Directorship 100, the annual list of the 100 most influential people in the boardroom and in corporate governance. Mr. Rood is a Board Leadership Fellow with NACD.

Mr. Rood is a licensed pilot, an avid sportsman, a rancher, and beekeeper.