Al served in the Florida Legislature for nearly three decades, including as Democratic Leader of the Senate, leaving in 2010 due to term limits. He was a strong educational voice for helping disadvantaged and minority students and, during his tenure, was recognized by a wide spectrum of interest groups, including Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Sheriffs’ Association, the Florida Student Association and the Nature Conservancy. He is president of Al served in the Florida Legislature for nearly three decades, including as Democratic Leader of the Senate, leaving in 2010 due to term limits. He was a strong educational voice for helping disadvantaged and minority students and, during his tenure, was recognized by a wide spectrum of interest groups, including Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Sheriffs’ Association, the Florida Student Association and the Nature Conservancy. He is president of Lawson and Associates, a public affairs firm in Tallahassee. He was a basketball star at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and had a brief professional career before later earning his master’s in public administration from Florida State University., a public affairs firm in Tallahassee. He was a basketball star at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and had a brief professional career before later earning his master’s in public administration from Florida State University.