Chris Petley

Chris PetleyDeputy Political Director
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Chris PetleyPolitical Coordinator petley@fladems.com

Christopher Petley graduated from The University of Florida with Bachelor Degree's in Political Science and Sociology.During his tenure at the University, Chris had the privilege to serve as the Political Director for the UF Chapter of College Democrats where he worked tirelessly to help earn the College Dems national and statewide recognition as one of the best chapters in the College Democrats of America organization-including winning the coveted Chapter of the Year Award from the Florida Young Democrats.Soon after his term ended, he was appointed Vice President of the Florida Federation of College Democrats of America-helping to increase the federation's membership from 5 to 15 schools.

During the Gore-Lieberman 2000 presidential campaign, Chris joined a very talented North Central Florida Coordinated Campaign team where he helped to successfully manage an extensive phone banking operation, helped to recruit numerous volunteers, and played a critical role in Reverend Jesse Jackson's Get Out The Vote march the day before the election.Chris also participated in the historic recount of election 2000 by organizing rallies and supporting the state and local parties.Following the conclusion of the election Chris continued to stay involved with the Alachua County DEC-one of the best and most organized in the state-helping to elect Democrats throughout the county.In addition to the countless hours Chris spent working with Florida's Democrats, he also volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club helping to teach children to read, and with the March of Dimes where he helped organize what has become the organization's largest WalkAmerica in the country.

During the summer of 2000, Chris packed his life into a moving van, left school and headed north to Tallahassee.Once in Tallahassee he informed the Florida Democratic Party that he would intern in their office, and set out to find an apartment.He lived out of his moving van for three days, before finding an affordable apartment.Chris worked his way up from intern to Staff Assistant and then to Executive Assistant to the Executive Director.During his time with the Florida Democratic Party he has proven to be a priceless resource and was given the chance to study and learn from some of the brightest and most talented Democrats in the state.He was a critical part of the team that put together the FDP's 2002 State Conference and the 2002 Jefferson-Jackson Gala-two of the largest and most successful events ever held by the FDP.Chris served as Deputy Coordinated Campaign Manager for the 2002 Coordinated Campaign where he managed and supervised an array of campaign activities from the McBride for Governor Tampa headquarters.Upon returning to Tallahassee, he joined the successful campaigns of local City Commission candidates Alan Katz and Andrew Gillum.

Chris currently serves as the Political Coordinator for the Florida Democratic Party where he will proudly tell you that his job description is, "to help other people do their jobs better."He can be found at his desk, where he spends all of his time, during business hours and beyond.Chris is one of the Florida Democratic Party's rising stars.He is a reflection of our past as well as a glimpse into the future of our party.

Chris was born and raised in Broward County Florida where his family still lives.

Chris Petley Political Director, Florida DP

Chris PetleyPolitical Director

Chris Petley, Political Director

--Chris Petley, Political Director

UPDATE: The FDP's Chris Petley blogged on the issue.

But Chris Petley, political director for the Democratic Party of Florida, insisted that the bash would give the organization a youthful jolt."There's a need to 'keep it real,'" he shouted over the music, gesturing air quotes with $7 Heineken in hand.