Brian May
Partner

Prior to forming Floridian Partners in 1998, Brian May spent a decade working in state and local government and politics at various high level positions and is a well- recognized expert in Florida politics and government.

Brian served as Campaign Manager, Chief of Staff and key strategist for former Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas and served U.S. Senator Bill Nelson in similar positions throughout the Senator's career dating back to 1994. Brian continues to serve Senator Nelson as a senior political advisor.

While serving the public from within government, Brian played a key role in bringing together a number of important initiatives and projects. May was a key player in the landmark deal to build the American Airlines Arena in Miami in 1997 and was the architect behind then Florida Insurance Commissioner Nelson's efforts in 1995 to attract insurance capital to Florida through incentives for insurance companies to remove policyholders from what is now the Florida Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens).

As a member of Floridian Partners, Brian specializes in the areas of insurance regulation, real estate entitlement, transportation and local government procurement and budgetary matters. He represents various insurance and reinsurance interests before the Florida Legislature and Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, and has an expertise in representing complicated development projects in securing land-use, zoning, permitting and transportation entitlements before local governments and state agencies.

May is also recognized as an expert in managing political campaigns. He managed several successful state-wide referendums, including those that closed the gun-show loophole, clarified Court funding in Article V of the State Constitution, as well as a Constitutional Amendment requiring Pre-K education be offered for all 4 year olds in Florida. Brian most recently managed the successful election in 2008 to allow Miami-Dade pari-mutuels to install Las Vegas style slot machines.

Brian lives in the High Pines area of Miami-Dade and has one son, Reilly. He was raised in Carmel, New York, spent his high school years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is a graduate of Furman University with degrees in political science and philosophy. He enjoys cycling and golf and gives back to the community through various Board memberships.