Lisa Pate, FRSA Executive Director
After 26 years serving FRSA and the industry, Cam Fentriss has retired, leaving behind a legacy of protecting licensed contractors, supporting workers’ comp reform and taking on the bad guys. When Cam announced her intention to retire, FRSA asked for her
support in finding a replacement – who better to know what the position entails than Cam herself? After six months of research and interviews, Cam endorsed Chris Dawson of GrayRobinson Law Firm.
Chris was interviewed by staff and questioned extensively about his position within GrayRobinson, his field of expertise, clients and conflict resolution, in addition to fees, travel, unanticipated expenses and participation on FRSA’s committees. Chris then met with the Executive Committee and staff for a face-to-face interview. Once completed, the Executive Committee voted to hire Chris to replace Cam Fentriss. He officially started on October 1 but attended the September Board and Committee meetings to meet committee members and learn first-hand which issues are important to our industry.
Chris is a senior advisor, attorney and professional lobbyist in GrayRobinson’s Orlando office, licensed to practice law in both Florida and Alabama. He primarily focuses on lobbying and government relations for public and private sector clients at the executive and legislative levels of state government, as well as before political subdivisions of the state, including counties, cities, airport authorities, transportation authorities, port authorities, school districts and water management districts. He is credentialed as a Designated Professional Lobbyist by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists.
Chris also holds two degrees in civil engineering and has experience in construction litigation and design professional malpractice defense. Chris is a sixth-generation Floridian. He was born in Pensacola and raised in nearby Santa Rosa County. He graduated from Pace High School, where he served as Student Body President. Five years later, he received his undergraduate degree in civil engineering from the University of Florida. While at UF, Chris was active in student government, Florida Blue Key Dance Marathon benefiting Shands Children’s Hospital at UF and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Upon graduation, he passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and received the designation of Engineer in Training (EIT) from the Florida Board of Professional Engineers.
In 2013, Chris graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama School of Law. He pursued a joint degree at UA, obtaining his master’s degree in civil engineering with a focus on construction methods and management. While at Alabama, Chris was active in the Student Bar Association, Competition Trial Advocacy, Law School Ambassadors and Alabama’s Journal of the Legal Profession. In spring 2012, he served as a legal intern in the D.C. office of Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart. Additionally, he was a summer associate in the Legal Services Bureau of the Alabama Department of Transportation. Chris also worked as a graduate assistant in the University of Alabama College of Engineering and served as adviser to the University of Alabama Dance Marathon benefiting Children’s Hospital of Alabama. Though a Gator at heart, he has occasionally been known to utter “Roll Tide!”
FRSA is pleased to welcome Chris Dawson to the team!
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