Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism & Communications, University of Florida, 1986
Bachelor of Arts, German, University of Florida, 1994
Master of Arts, Curriculum and Development, College of Education, University of West Florida, 1999
Graduate, Class XV, University of Florida IFAS Natural Resources Leadership Institute, 2016
Government and Leadership
Commissioner, Town of Sewall’s Point, 2008-2016
Town’s Mayor, July 2011- November 2012
Candidate, Martin County Commissioner District 1, 2016
Appointed by Senate President, Joe Negron to serve as a commissioner for Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission, (CRC) 2017-2018
Appointed by CRC Chairman, Carlos Beruff, to chair CRC General Provisions Committee
-Sponsored proposal 91, Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling in Florida’s Territorial Seas that was bundled with Commissioner Lisa Carlton’s proposal 65 Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces to become 2018 Ballot Amendment 9: passed at 68.92%.
Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, South Florida Water Management Governing Board, 2019-2023.
~
Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments, Chair 2013
Florida League of Cities Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Legislative Committee, Chair 2013
Appointed by SFWMD Governing Board Member Kevin Powers as WRAC Alternate 2013-2015
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Vice-Chair 2015-2016
Organizations
Florida Wildlife Federation, Board Member at Large, elected 2018 -resigned June 2019, remain a member
The Guardians of Martin County 2018
Rivers Coalition Defense Fund 2011-resigned June 2019, remain a member
River Kidz Volunteer Administrator 2011-present
Treasured Lands Foundation, Board of Directors 2010-2012
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, FAU, Board of Directors 2013-2016
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, FAU, Marine Mammal, volunteer 2011-2014
Realtors Association of Martin County, Board of Directors 2006-2007
Daughter of the American Revolution
Florida Blue Key, University of Florida
Delta Gamma Sorority, Gamma Theta
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
Work Experience
-Taught German and English, International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Pensacola High School, Pensacola, 1994-1996;
Taught English at Murray Middle School 1997; Stuart Middle School 1998-2000; German and English at -South Fork High School 2001
Real Estate Sales: Patrick Stracuzzi Real Estate Team, 2002-2005; Lifestyle Realty Group, 2006-2010; Waterpointe Realty Group 2011-2015; Lifestyle Realty Group, 2016 to present ~now as a referral agent
Publications
Indian River Lagoon Blog www.jacquithurlowlippish.com 2013-present; -tracks algae growth documenting toxic plumes from Lake Okeechobee and area canals using aerial photography and ground work; shares information with historic and political commentary
Awards
“Realtor of the Year” award from the Realtors Association of Martin County, 2007
“Wings Award” for advocacy of Marine Mammals of the Indian River Lagoon from the Pegasus Foundation, 2013
Everglades Coalition’s “John V. Kabler Award” for Grassroots Activism, 2015
“Conservation Award,” National Daughter of the American Revolution, Halpatiokee Chapter, Stuart, Florida, 2015
“Albert Tuttle Award” for Outstanding Volunteer Service/Indian River Lagoon, Marine Resources Council, Brevard County, 2016
“Burl Long Award,” University of Florida/IFAS Natural Resources Leadership Institute, Class XV. The award is a peer award, presented each year to the classmate who has shown the most growth and use of NRLI concepts and tools, incorporating conflict management and collaborative decision-making into their work and changed the most as a result of their NRLI experience, 2016
“Conservation Communicator of the Year Award,” Florida Wildlife Federation, 2017
“Susan B. Anthony Award,” Recognition for Outstanding Leadership and Service to Protect the Environment, Martin County League of Women Voters, 2020
Florida Oceanographic Society, “Ocean’s Alive” honoring JTL, for tireless dedication to protecting and restoring Florida’s waterways, March 29, 2020, event postposed due to coronavirus pandemic. Celebrated March 26, 2022.
Long-form Bio
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch has lived in Martin County since she was eleven months old. She considers herself a “native” although born at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. In 1964, her father was serving as a United States Air Force Judge Advocate (JAG) Officer during the Vietnam War and Jacqui is proud to be an “Air Force brat.”
In 1952, her father’s (Tom Thurlow Jr.’s) family, moved from the brutal cold of Syracuse, New York, to the warmth of tropical Stuart, Florida. Her grandfather, Tom Thurlow Sr., was one of the first real estate attorneys in Stuart. He was a partner of Senator Evans Crary with the law firm Crary, Thurlow and Randolph before establishing his own practice, Thurlow and Thurlow, which is the family firm her father and her brother run today. Tom Sr.’s wife Jane was a homemaker and member of the Stuart Garden Club.
Jacqui’s mother, historian and author, Sandra Henderson Thurlow, is a fifth-generation Floridian. Jacqui’s maternal grandfather, J.R. Henderson, was a soil scientist in the Agriculture Department, taught at the University of Florida, and worked for UF/Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS). Mr. Henderson’s work included surveying the Florida Everglades, and the well-known 1939 publication “Soils of Florida.” His wife, Dot Henderson was a public school nutritionist.
Jacqui has a younger sister, Jenny Flaugh, who is married to Michael Flaugh, and a younger brother, Todd Thurlow, who is married to Deanna Wintercorn. Jenny and Mike have one daughter, Evie. Todd and Deanna have three daughters, Natalie, Mary, and Julia. All reside in Martin County as do Jacqui’s parents.
Jacqui lives in Sewall’s Point with her husband, Dr. Ed Lippisch and their dogs, Bo and Luna. Ed is an oral surgeon and owner of Lippisch and Engebretsen: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and has had a successful practice in Stuart for many years.
Jacqui’s Local Government Experience
Jacqui has served as a commissioner for the Town of Sewall’s Point since 2008. Her second term ended in November 2016. From July 2011 to November 2012, Jacqui served as the Town’s mayor. She is most proud of being part of the Town Commission when it:
Implemented a $3.2 million FEMA grant to raise houses in the flood zone which resulted in lower insurance costs for all homeowners within the flood zone (2008-Present)
Successfully negotiated with the Florida Department of Transportation and FPL to under-ground power lines along the AIA corridor (2010-2014)
Led the first strong fertilizer ordinance on Florida’s east coast (2010)
Assisted the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Martin County Board of County Commissioners in the designation of Bird Island as the first Critical Wildlife Area in the state of Florida in 20 years
Promoting the grassroots Sewall’s Point youth movement and phenomenon, River Kidz.
Government appointments and service:
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council; Vice Chair (2016), Town appointed (2014)
Florida League of Cities, Chair, Environmental and Energy Legislative Committee, (2013). Jacqui oversaw a committee of more than 50 state mayors and council members to establish statewide legislative priorities. Appointed by league president, P.C. Wu, Pensacola.
Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments, Martin, St Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee elected officials meet for intergovernmental cooperation and promotion of regional issues. (2009-2014.) Chair 2011
South Florida Water Management District, Water Resources Advisory Commission, alternate member (2012-Present) Business category
Senator Joe Negron’s Select Senate Hearing on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee, Special Panel member, 2013. Spoke on behalf of the St Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.
Writing and Influence:
Since 2013 Jacqui has penned “Indian River Lagoon” her blog that now has more than 4000 subscribers. The blog is known to many state and federal agencies and a wide variety of individuals throughout Florida. As quoted in 2015 by Florida Trend Magazine, Ms Thurlow-Lippisch’s blog “tracks algae growth, toxic plumes, and shares information and political commentary. Her aerial photographs provide evidence of environmental damage to the St Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.” She also writes about history, land use, other water-related issues and often features the work of leaders in these fields. Her blog is featured regularly in Eco-Voice Magazine, TreasureCoast.com and can be viewed online at http://www.jacquithurlowlippisch.com.
Natural Resources Leadership Institute, Class XV, University of Florida/IFAS. This year, Jacqui was recruited as one of only 20 individuals from throughout the state to participate in Class XV of the prestigious University of Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute. The program teaches leaders “how to facilitate participatory decision-making in the most controversial of situations.” Fellows visit multiple locations throughout the state over an eight-month period to learn about issues affecting business and the environment in Florida.
Other:
February 21, 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Jacqui to the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District.
November 6, 2018, Florida Votes on Constitutional Amendments: Jacqui’s co-sponsored CRC ballot Amendment 9, Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; (and Comr. Lisa Carlton’s) Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces passes by 68.92%. (https://floridaelectionwatch.gov/Amendments)
March 20th, 2017, appointed by Senate President Joe Negron to serve as a commissioner for Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission, (CRC) 2017 and 2018. (http://flcrc.gov)
September 2015 through August 2016, Jacqui ran for District 1 County Commission seat losing in the primary by 677 votes, or 2.8%, to a 16 year incumbent.
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Board of Directors (2013-2016)
Rivers Coalition Defense Fund, board member and Rivers Coalition Leadership Team. (member since 2011, ex-officio until 2016)
River Kidz (part of the Rivers Coalition), Volunteer administrator (2011-present)
Tourist Development Council, member (2011)
Treasured Lands Foundation, board of directors (2010-2012)
Realtors Association of Martin County, board of directors (2006-2007)
Martin County High School, Class of 1982, Vice President Alumni
Florida Blue Key, University of Florida, an honorary leadership organization (1986)
Delta Gamma Sorority, Gamma Theta (1983, life member)
Sewall’s Point Cultural Committee, founding member (2008-2010)
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Marine Mammal volunteer (2011-2014)
Martin Cares, graduate (2008)
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (lifetime member)
Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR)
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism & Communications, University of Florida, 1986
Bachelor of Arts, German, University of Florida, 1994
Master of Arts, Curriculum and Development, College of Education, University of West Florida, 1999
Work Experience
Lived in Los Angeles California, studied acting, worked part-time at LaRocca Talent Agency, and waitressed to supplement income, 1986-1989
Lived in East and West Germany, studied German, taught English in private and public schools, and worked in restaurants to supplement income, 1990-1993.
Jacqui’s early professional career including teaching German and English in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Pensacola High School in Pensacola, Florida where she taught both IB students as well as at-risk students. (1994-1996)
After three years in Pensacola, she returned to her hometown of Stuart and taught English at Murray Middle School (1997), Stuart Middle School (1998-2000) and then German and English at South Fork High School (2001)
In 2001, due to an accident, Jacqui broke her neck. If not for the quick response of the Martin County Fire Department rescue team, Jacqui believes she would be paralyzed today. It was her difficult rehabilitation that taught her determination and resiliency, traits that characterize her today. Due to her condition, Jacqui left the teaching profession in 2002, and pursued a different career, training to become a real-estate professional and joining the Patrick Stracuzzi Real Estate Team. She later worked for Life- style Realty specializing in seniors and then, in 2010, joined Water Pointe Realty Group in Sewall’s Point. Selling real estate through the boom and bust years taught Jacqui valuable lessons. She continues to hold a real estate license at Lifestyle Realty Group, owner/broker Maria Well, President, Florida Realtors, 2017.
Jacqui’s Awards and Recognitions
Everglades Coalition’s “John V. Kabler Award” for Grassroots Activism. This award was given for Jacqui’s work to organize and educate the public about Everglades restoration efforts including the St Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon (2015)
Conservation Award from the National Daughter of the American Revolution. Awarded at Halpatiokee Chapter, Stuart, Florida, 2015
“Wings Award” for advocacy of Marine Mammals of the Indian River Lagoon from the Pegasus Foundation, 2013
“Realtor of the Year” award from the Realtors Association of Martin County, 2007
Woman of Distinction nominee (three times), Soroptimist International of Stuart
Environmental Stewardship Award nominee in the Unsung Hero category, Keep Martin Beautiful
Burl Long Award, from the University of Florida/IFAS Natural Resources Leadership Institute, Class XV. The award is a peer award, presented each year to the classmate who has shown the most growth and use of NRLI concepts and tools, incorporating conflict management and collaborative decision-making into their work and changed the most as a result of their NRLI experience (2016)
Albert Tuttle Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service to the Indian River Lagoon, Marine Resources Council, Brevard County, (2016)
Conservation Communicator of the Year Award, Florida Wildlife Federation, 2017.
Leadership Award, Florida Oceanographic Society, Ocean’s Alive, 2022.