Education & Air Force Background
Mr. Cary received his Bachelors of Arts (BA) degree from the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. He received his Master's of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Central Florida, taking courses focusing on Urban and Regional Planning. He received his Juris Doctor (JD) from the Florida State University School of Law in 2009, following five years as a Space and Missile Operations officer in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed at:
- Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, in Cape Canaveral, Florida
- Cavalier Air Force Station, in Cavalier, North Dakota
- Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California
Law School & Legal Career
Mr. Cary was inspired to attend law school while taking the Land Use and Planning Law course in the final semester of his MPA degree. While he enjoyed planning and zoning and transportation issues, he really loved the legal aspects of land use. In law school, he took as many land use and local government-related courses as he could.
Mr. Cary began his legal career with the City of Ocala. He then went on to serve in all three branches of the state government as:
- An Attorney for the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee
- A Chief Attorney of Professions for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- The Senior Supervising Attorney/Operations Manager for Court Education in the Office of State Courts Administrator
Joining the City Attorney's Office
Mr. Cary is thrilled to return to Municipal Law by joining the City Attorney's office in January of 2018.
Board Advisor & Other Responsibilities
In addition to assisting the City Attorney in all assigned matters, Mr. Cary serves as the advisor to the Code Enforcement, Adjustments and Appeals Board, the Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Agency, the Civil Service Board, and as police advisor to the St. Augustine Police Department. Mr. Cary prosecutes all municipal code violations as well as coordinates and assists outside counsel in multiple litigation matters involving the City and represents the City in all Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution petitions.
Mr. Cary is a member of the Florida Bar, in addition to being licensed to practice law in Michigan and Colorado.