John McKager "Mac" Stipanovich Retires From Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney After Long and Impactful Career

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – December 16, 2019 – Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney announces that John McKager “Mac” Stipanovich, former chair of the firm’s Florida state government relations group, will retire from the firm effective December 16, 2019. Stipanovich’s impactful career as a government relations professional spanned nearly 45 years – first with Fowler White Boggs and then with Buchanan following the 2014 merger of the two firms.

“Mac has been an important member of our government relations team and always an outspoken advocate. For nearly two years we have been actively working with him to transition clients, contacts and ongoing matters in preparation for his scheduled retirement. This cooperative process has worked well for both sides, and we wish Mac great health and a long, enjoyable retirement,” said Joseph A. Dougherty, Buchanan’s CEO and Managing Director.

“I have had the pleasure of working alongside Mac for many years and continue to be impressed with his ability to solve complex, highly regulated client matters,” noted Michael P. Harrell, chair of Buchanan’s Florida state government relations group. “We thank Mac for his outstanding career and the excellent service that he has provided to so many clients and government officials. We wish Mac the best.”

“It is a tribute to my colleagues and the firm that I have never, in almost half a century, considered working anywhere else. I am grateful for the friendship and support that have shaped my professional life,” said Stipanovich.

For decades, Stipanovich has been at the forefront of Florida politics, having served as Florida executive director for Reagan-Bush 1984, campaign director for Bob Martinez for Governor in 1986 and 1990, chief of staff to Governor Martinez and senior advisor to Jeb Bush for Governor in 1994. Outside of Florida, he is best known for his role in the 2000 Florida Bush/Gore recount effort, in which he was a key advisor to then Florida’s Secretary of State, Katherine Harris. In 2018 he was named as one of Florida Trend magazine's "Florida 500" and in 2019, the magazine named him a “Living Legend.”