Giving back to his community, state, and country for more than 50 years, Les is committed to public service. He served as a member of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, representing the 3rd District from November 2010 to November 2020, and served as the Chairman for three terms, striving to foster a better place for all citizens to live, work, and play.
In his previous elected roles, Les achieved the following:
- Represented Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pinellas counties as a member of the Florida Senate's 18th District from 2000 to 2006. During his tenure in the Senate, he served in various capacities, including Democratic Leader (Minority Leader), Democratic Leader Pro Tempore, and Democratic Whip. He served as Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, where he was the co-author of the state's $70 billion and $73 billion budgets during the two-year term
- Served in the Florida House of Representatives. He was Democratic Leader (Minority Leader) from 1998 to 2000 and is the first person in the State of Florida's history to serve as Democratic Leader in both chambers of the Florida Legislature. There, he established a reputation for bipartisan, innovative compromise and cooperation to improve Floridians' lives, especially in the areas of education, services for the elderly, and health initiatives. He also served on the Tampa City Council in 1991
Born and raised in Hillsborough County, Les is a graduate of Middleton High School and served honorably in the U.S. Air Force from 1970 to 1974. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of South Florida (USF) in 1978, where he made history as the first student to serve on the then Florida Board of Regents. He was recognized with an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Florida A&M University in 2005. He served USF as an Interim Associate Vice President and Dean of Students.
Les and his wife are the parents of four children and the grandparents of six. He is a member of the New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves as Chairman of the Board of Deacons.
Education
Ph.D., Humane Letters, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
M.B.A., Public Administration, University of South Florida
B.A., Political Science, University of South Florida
Professional Associations
- United Supreme Council-DC, Southern Jurisdiction, Prince Hall Affiliate, A.A.S.R. For The 33 Degree of Freemasonry, Sovereign Grand Inspector General
- Landmark Lodge No. 93, F&AM, Prince Hall Affiliate, and Life Member of Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Florida
- Harram Temple No. 23, A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Prince Hall Shriners, Deputy Of the Oasis-Tampa, Member
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Life Member
- Tampa Branch NAACP, Life Member
- Urban League of Hillsborough County Board of Directors, Member
Honors
- Hillsborough County Branch NAACP Freedom Fighter Award, 2018
- MLK Parade Foundation Drum Major for Justice: Elected Official Award, 2018
- Desert of Florida of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine, Inc. Leadership Award, 2017
- Florida Democratic Party's Distinguished Service Award for a Lifetime of Service To The State of Florida, 2012
- National Society of Voices In Unity For Education Cotillion Debutantes Award for Outstanding Community Service, 2011
- Phylaxis Society (Prince Hall Masons) Ballot Award, 2011
- Harram Temple #23, Prince Hall Shriners Outstanding Service Award, 2010
- Florida Education Association President's Award, 2008
- The Global Directory of Who's Who Honoring Executives and Professionals, 2007
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Interfaith Memorial Service Robert W. Saunders Award for Efforts to Promote Civil Rights, 2007
- University of South Florida President's Distinguished Citizens Award, 2006
- Early Learning Coalition Legislative Excellence Award, 2006
- Florida A&M University President's Award, 2005
- Florida Education Association's Champion for Public Education Award, 2005
- The Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida Eagle Award, 2005
- Florida League of Cities Legislative Award, 2005
- Florida Housing Coalition Legislative Award, 2004
- American Heart Association Legislative Award, 2004
- Florida State Conference of NAACP Branches Morris Milton Award, 2003
- Florida Credit Union League Senator of the Year Award, 2003
- Florida Police Chiefs Association's Legislative Award, 2002
- American Cancer Society's Legislative Award, 2002 and 2001
- The Salvation Army's Leadership in Development Award, 2001
- Community Development Corporation's Champion Award, 2001
- Who's Who Among African Americans, 2006,2005,2004,2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, and 1994
- Florida Consortium of Urban League Affiliate's Outstanding Support Award, 2000 and 1993
- American Jewish Community's Lawton Chiles Florida Religious Award, 1999
- Who's Who in American Politics, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000
- Tampa-Hillsborough Urban League's Whitney M. Young, Memorial Award, 1998
- Florida School Board Association, Inc., Legislator of the Year, 1998
- Hank Warren Memorial Award for Dedicated Services to the Cause of Human Rights to All Mankind, 1997
- LifeLink Foundation, Inc., Legislator of the Year Award, 1997
- FTP-NEA Friend of Education Award, 1996
- Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman College's African-American Heritage Award in Politics, 1996
- Florida Association of Community Health Centers, Inc., Representative of the Year, 1995
- University of South Florida's Distinguished Alumnus Award, 1985