Victor Crist is the son of a U.S. Army officer and a medical missionary, who grew up in a family inspired by faith and energized by the desire to make the world a better place for all. This early background set the stage for him to become a creative problem solver and doer, a role he has embraced throughout his life. He has been married for 19 wonderful years to Angela Severino-Crist; they have a 12-year-old daughter, Sophia, and a yellow rescued labrador named Riley.
His formal education, entrepreneurial business career, and years in public service have given Crist the organizational, budgeting, and management experience required for such a responsibility of great magnitude. He has a proven record of getting the tough jobs done!
Education: Crist grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from St. Petersburg Catholic High School, and earned his B.A. in Communication, with additional concentrations in Business Administration and Political Science Pre-Law, from the University of South Florida, graduating with Honors for academics, leadership, and service. He later completed extensive professional training in organizational development.
Business entrepreneur: While still a student at USF, Victor Crist founded and established Metropolitan Communications, Inc., which became an award-winning, full-service advertising, marketing, public relations and advocacy firm, serving a diverse group of non-profit and for-profit clients across multiple sectors. Later, he developed this business into a consulting practice focusing on organizational development, strategic marketing and advocacy.
Public servant: Victor Crist was elected to the Florida legislature, serving for 10 years as a State Senator and 8 years as a State Representative. He was also elected to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners for 8 years. During this time, he was appointed to numerous boards, committees, councils, commissions and task forces, including 8 years on the Board of Directors of the Hillsborough County/Tampa Aviation Authority, where he served as Treasurer.
Victor Crist has an in-depth understanding of the Florida Court system: While serving in the Florida legislature, he was recognized as the legislative leader on Justice issues. He spearheaded innovative reforms, crafted budgets, and served on numerous committees, councils, and commissions dealing with Florida’s Courts, Clerks, and Justice matters.
Crist was responsible for crafting Florida’s $4 billion statewide Justice budget:
The budget included funding for the Judges, Clerks of the Court, Public Defenders, Prosecuting Attorneys, and administration of Florida’s Court system, as well as Florida’s Juvenile Justice, Public Safety, and Corrections systems.
He chaired the Joint Committee/Task Force responsible for developing the plan and legislation to implement the new Article V, Revision 7, of the Florida Constitution that required the transition of all local Courts and Clerks to a unified, state-funded system.
Victor Crist’s outstanding leadership and service has been recognized by his colleagues and numerous professional organizations. They include the Florida Conference of County Court Judges, Florida Public Defenders Association, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Florida Sheriff’s Association, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, and the Florida Association of Counties, in addition to many current or former Clerks of the Court across our state.
