Michael Sole is Vice President for State Governmental Affairs with Florida Power & Light Company, and is responsible for ensuring constructive government relations with state and federal elected officials and appointees on behalf of the largest electric utility in Florida. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts and is a leading employer in the state with more than 10,500 employees. Prior to his joining FPL, Mr. Sole served as Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, overseeing Florida’s environmental regulatory and law enforcement programs, the acquisition, conservation and management of public lands, including Florida’s award-winning state parks, and the development and regulation of Florida’s water resources through the state’s five water management districts. Mr. Sole served with the Department since 1991 in numerous capacities including, Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs and Energy, where he spearheaded the 2006 Florida Energy Act — the four-year, $100 million plan to diversify the state’s fuel supply and promote energy conservation and efficiency. During his nineteen years as an environmental manager, he has taken on responsibilities ranging from marine turtle protection, beach preservation, wetland protection, petroleum cleanup and waste management. Mr. Sole was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps, serving our nation during the Gulf War. He received his B.S. degree in Marine Biology from the Florida Institute of Technology.