Professionally, I am an attorney and accountant, I earned my accounting degree, in 1995, from the University of Central Florida and my law degree, in 2001, from St. Louis University. I have practiced as a tax professional, a financial accountant and a financial analyst. As an attorney, I have been an Assistant State Attorney, insurance defense counsel, and a partner in a mid-size law firm in Downtown Orlando. Now, I work as a solo practitioner with experience in real estate, civil litigation, and business.

I also support my family’s real estate company, Cristan Properties, Inc., as an active Board of Director and Officer. It was founded in 1981 by my mother and father with the intent to own small citrus groves. In the early 1980’s, they bought two citrus groves. Sometimes, my parents would take my brothers and I to the groves so we could pick oranges alongside migrant workers. My parents’ goal was to teach us about hard work and it did. But in 1983, a harsh winter decimated our citrus trees. As a result, the dead citrus trees had to be cleared and the land re- purposed. On one grove, we developed single-family residential lots. On another grove, we were able to triple our land holdings and plant pine trees for carbon sequestration. Today, the pine trees are still there, nearly 30 years later. Watching my father and mother manage the family real estate company, I witnessed firsthand that individuals can align business goals with their moral and values. Today, the family company responsibly manages commercial, agriculture, and residential property throughout the State of Florida.

Service to Others Is Part of Who I Am

Throughout the Central Florida area, I have volunteered my time and service. I have served, as a Board of Director, on Florida Association of Housing Re-Development Officials, which is an association of County and Municipal Housing Authorities that delivers Public Housing and Section 8 benefits to qualified applicants. I also serve on Catholic Charities of Central Florida Housing Subcommittee which assists applicants in finding housing that do not normally qualify for State or Federal housing benefits. Lastly, I serve on the Orange County Government Development Advisory Board, which reviews amendments to County Land Development Code and policy related to land development throughout the County.