Weatherford and bros form business consulting firm

@mvansickler

Former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford announced Tuesday that he’s going to give this private sector thing a try by forming a “strategic business advisory firm” with two of his brothers.

Weatherford and his brothers Sam and Drew, the former Florida State University quarterback, are calling their company “Weatherford Partners”. It will provide clients “with a broad range of business expertise and will invest capital directly into private companies with a strategic focus on Florida.”

Weatherford, who is often rumored to be a viable candidate for higher office, has spent most of his adult life as a state employee. Term limits forced him out last year.

Here’s the release:

Weatherford Partners to Provide Capital Investment and Business Consulting

Tampa-based firm offers capital investment and strategic business advisory services with Florida focus

Tampa, Fla. – Weatherford Partners, a strategic business advisory and investment firm, announced its official launch today. The firm will provide clients with a broad range of business expertise and will invest capital directly into private companies with a strategic focus on Florida. Weatherford Partners is led by Will Weatherford, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with my brothers, Sam and Drew, to launch this exciting business,” said Will Weatherford. “We share the same values, goals, and faith. It’s a natural fit, and one I know will be a successful and lasting partnership.”

The firm’s partners will draw from their broad experience and deep roots in Florida to deliver exceptional insights to their clients in Florida and abroad. Additionally, the firm will invest capital into promising businesses, helping those companies grow and achieve their full potential.

Weatherford Partners’ leadership team includes:

* Will Weatherford, Managing Partner. Will was the 84th Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, serving from 2012-2014, during which time he was the youngest Speaker in America. Throughout his four consecutive terms in office, Will was a strong advocate for social upward mobility through free enterprise and education reform. He was also a thought leader on other pro-growth solutions including lower taxes, pension reform, and free market health care. Will serves on several boards including the National Coalition for Capital, the U.S. Global Leadership Collation, the Republican State Leadership Committee, Take Stock in Children, and Jobs for America’s Graduates. Will spent six years as a board director at Florida Traditions Bank. A graduate of Jacksonville University, Will also served as a Rodel Fellow at the Aspen Institute.Will is the Founder of Red Eagle Group, a boutique investment and business consulting firm.

* Sam Weatherford, Partner. Sam was a founding member of Schulze Global Investments, a private equity firm focused on the world’s most dynamic frontier markets. During Sam’s tenure with Schulze Global, he was responsible for executing multimillion-dollar transactions across Asia, Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe. From 2012 to 2014, Sam served as Director of Schulze Global’s Ethiopia Growth and Transformation Fund, one of Africa’s largest single-country private equity funds, and backed by many of the world’s most distinguished Africa-focused investors. Sam holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Fordham University.

* Drew Weatherford, Partner. Drew attended Florida State University, where he was a three-year starting quarterback under the legendary Coach Bobby Bowden. After graduating with a degree in finance and real estate, Drew played professional football. He then lead fund raising efforts for the Seminole Boosters in South Florida, and later served as the Director of Business Development for a renewable energy development company. In 2011 Drew co-founded Strategos Public Affairs in Tampa, where he focused on business advisory services. In 2011 Drew established onbikes, a non-profit organization which has provided more than 1,000 new bicycles to foster and at-risk children throughout the Tampa Bay community. Drew is a board member of Take Stock in Children and Florida Medical Clinic’s Foundation of Caring.

Weatherford Partners to Provide Capital Investment and Business Consulting

Tampa-based firm offers capital investment and strategic business advisory services with Florida focus

Tampa, Fla. – Weatherford Partners, a strategic business advisory and investment firm, announced its official launch today. The firm will provide clients with a broad range of business expertise and will invest capital directly into private companies with a strategic focus on Florida. Weatherford Partners is led by Will Weatherford, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with my brothers, Sam and Drew, to launch this exciting business,” said Will Weatherford. “We share the same values, goals, and faith. It’s a natural fit, and one I know will be a successful and lasting partnership.”

The firm’s partners will draw from their broad experience and deep roots in Florida to deliver exceptional insights to their clients in Florida and abroad. Additionally, the firm will invest capital into promising businesses, helping those companies grow and achieve their full potential.

Weatherford Partners’ leadership team includes:

* Will Weatherford, Managing Partner. Will was the 84th Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, serving from 2012-2014, during which time he was the youngest Speaker in America. Throughout his four consecutive terms in office, Will was a strong advocate for social upward mobility through free enterprise and education reform. He was also a thought leader on other pro-growth solutions including lower taxes, pension reform, and free market health care. Will serves on several boards including the National Coalition for Capital, the U.S. Global Leadership Collation, the Republican State Leadership Committee, Take Stock in Children, and Jobs for America’s Graduates. Will spent six years as a board director at Florida Traditions Bank. A graduate of Jacksonville University, Will also served as a Rodel Fellow at the Aspen Institute.Will is the Founder of Red Eagle Group, a boutique investment and business consulting firm.

* Sam Weatherford, Partner. Sam was a founding member of Schulze Global Investments, a private equity firm focused on the world’s most dynamic frontier markets. During Sam’s tenure with Schulze Global, he was responsible for executing multimillion-dollar transactions across Asia, Africa, South America, and Eastern Europe. From 2012 to 2014, Sam served as Director of Schulze Global’s Ethiopia Growth and Transformation Fund, one of Africa’s largest single-country private equity funds, and backed by many of the world’s most distinguished Africa-focused investors. Sam holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Fordham University.

* Drew Weatherford, Partner. Drew attended Florida State University, where he was a three-year starting quarterback under the legendary Coach Bobby Bowden. After graduating with a degree in finance and real estate, Drew played professional football. He then lead fund raising efforts for the Seminole Boosters in South Florida, and later served as the Director of Business Development for a renewable energy development company. In 2011 Drew co-founded Strategos Public Affairs in Tampa, where he focused on business advisory services. In 2011 Drew established onbikes, a non-profit organization which has provided more than 1,000 new bicycles to foster and at-risk children throughout the Tampa Bay community. Drew is a board member of Take Stock in Children and Florida Medical Clinic’s Foundation of Caring.