William Buzzett

William (Billy) Buzzett has almost 30 years experience in engineering, law, and development. With an undergraduate degree in civil engineering, he practiced for several years in New Orleans before advancing to law school at Florida State University. After graduating from law school, Buzzett worked in private practice, for the Florida Legislature, as an Assistant General Counsel to Governor Bob Martinez, and as the Executive Director to the 1997-1998 Constitution Revision Commission.

From 2001-2009, he worked for The St. Joe Company, and in 2011, under appointment from Governor Rick Scott, Buzzett served as the Secretary of Florida’s Department of Community Affairs – Florida’s land planning agency. He is currently a partner with the law firm of Harrison, Rivard, Duncan & Buzzett, located in Panama City.

In 1996, Buzzett was instrumental in creating one of Florida’s first charter schools, the Seaside Neighborhood School. As the Chairman of the Board of Directors for 6 years, he helped guide the school to its current designation as one of the highest performing middle schools in the state of Florida.

Buzzett is a fifth-generation Floridian, whose family hails from Apalachicola. He is married to FSU law graduate, Kelly Haynes Buzzett, and resides in Grayton Beach. They have two sons, one of whom is a recent graduate of Florida State University.