Jon Thaxton is recognized as one of Southwest Florida’s preeminent advocates for protecting our natural environment. He was an early critic of Sarasota County’s failed growth management policies and offered viable alternatives to preserve Sarasota’s natural, economic and social amenities.
Born Dec. 7, 1957, Jon was raised on a small family farm near Osprey. He’s a fourth generation Sarasotan.
As a child he frequently visited nearby commercial fishing docks and explored the wilds of what is now the Palmer Ranch community.
Jon’s father, Ed Thaxton, first worked for Paver Construction and then opened a family-owned and operated real estate sales company. Jon began helping at his father’s real estate firm at the age of 14 and at one time was the youngest real estate broker in Sarasota County. He began his environmental advocacy at Venice High School in 1974 as a founding member of the Ecology Club.
Jon Thaxton’s passion for protecting the environment while selling real estate seems like a paradox to some. But as Jon explains it, “Who better to protect the environment than one who sells it to make a living?” He believes that Sarasota’s economy and its environment are inseparable and each must remain healthy for the other to survive. Thaxton’s active involvement in both business and environmental issues has earned him respect from both sides and ultimately contributed to his first successful campaign for the Sarasota County Commission in 2000 and his re-election in 2004.
Jon Thaxton defies conventional labels by crossing traditional political, business and ideological boundaries. He is an acknowledged leader in growth management, environmental preservation, water conservation and transportation planning. Thaxton is known as a commissioner who is prepared, fair and articulate, and as one who listens to all sides of an issue before making a decision.
Thaxton’s commission appointments include the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Regional Water Planning Alliance and the National Association of Counties Growth and Land Use Committee. Thaxton has been awarded the 1,000 Friends of Florida State Growth Management Award and was twice awarded the Nature Conservancy’s Grassroots Activist of the Year. In 1996, Jon was featured in National Geographic for his work in preserving endangered species.
Jon Thaxton is recognized as one of Southwest Florida’s preeminent advocates for protecting our natural environment. He was an early critic of Sarasota County’s failed growth management policies and offered viable alternatives to preserve Sarasota’s natural, economic and social amenities.
Born Dec. 7, 1957, Jon was raised on a small family farm near Osprey. He’s a fourth generation Sarasotan. As a child he frequently visited nearby commercial fishing docks and explored the wilds of what is now the Palmer Ranch community.
Jon’s father, Ed Thaxton, first worked for Paver Construction and then opened a family-owned and operated real estate sales company. Jon began helping at his father’s real estate firm at the age of 14 and at one time was the youngest real estate broker in Sarasota County.
He began his environmental advocacy at Venice High School in 1974 as a founding member of the Ecology Club.
Jon Thaxton’s passion for protecting the environment while selling real estate seems like a paradox to some. But as Jon explains it, “Who better to protect the environment than one who sells it to make a living?” He believes that Sarasota’s economy and its environment are inseparable and each must remain healthy for the other to survive.
Thaxton’s active involvement in both business and environmental issues has earned him respect from both sides and ultimately contributed to his first successful campaign for the Sarasota County Commission in 2000 and his re-election in 2004.
Jon Thaxton defies conventional labels by crossing traditional political, business and ideological boundaries. He is an acknowledged leader in growth management, environmental preservation, water conservation and transportation planning.
Thaxton is known as a commissioner who is prepared, fair and articulate, and as one who listens to all sides of an issue before making a decision.
Thaxton’s commission appointments include the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, Regional Water Planning Alliance and the National Association of Counties Growth and Land Use Committee. Thaxton has been awarded the 1,000 Friends of Florida State Growth Management Award and was twice awarded the Nature Conservancy’s Grassroots Activist of the Year. In 1996, Jon was featured in National Geographic for his work in preserving endangered species.
