Business Before Hours: Future of Florida Business with Florida Chamber CEO Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson serves as president and chief executive officer of Florida’s largest and most influential business advocacy organization. Wilson leads the substantial political, lobbying, grassroots, and economic research operations of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The Florida Chamber focuses on creating a business climate that generates prosperity and high-paying jobs, vibrant communities and global competitiveness in Florida by focusing on job creation and the Six Pillars of Florida’s Future Economy: Talent Supply & Education, Innovation & Economic Development, Infrastructure & Growth Leadership, Business Climate & Competitiveness, Civic & Governance Systems and Quality of Life & Quality Places.

Through his focus on unifying the business community, Wilson created the Florida Business Agenda and the Florida Chamber Grassroots Network, which mobilizes the business community on issues ranging from taxes and talent, to insurance and constitutional amendment reform. Wilson was also the first president of the Florida Justice Reform Institute, a Florida Chamber partner organization focused on reducing frivolous lawsuits.

In addition to his legislative successes, Wilson is also the architect of groundbreaking statewide political campaigns that passed significant constitutional amendment reforms, as well as numerous legislative and issue campaigns. Wilson also served as treasurer and co-chair of the Vote No on 4 campaign, an anti-growth proposal, in one of the most successful voter education campaigns in Florida’s history.

Wilson earned Florida Trend’s prestigious honor of being named Floridian of the Year for 2023. Wilson is a recent Chair of the National Association of State Chambers, and he serves on the Board of Directors of Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, Select Florida, Leadership Florida, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Chamber Foundation, as well as participation on the Florida Council of 100, the U.S. Chamber’s Committee of 100, and the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.

A native of Illinois, Wilson received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and has earned the national designation of Certified Chamber Executive (CCE). Prior to joining the Florida Chamber in 1998, Wilson served as vice president of the Chicagoland Chamber and previously served with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.