The Catalyst

Serving the City: Ocala Mayor, Kent Guinn

• Season 1 • Episode 5

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With 24 years of service to the City of Ocala, including 12 as mayor,  hear from Kent Guinn as he completes his term and reflects on major accomplishments, challenges he continues to be passionate about addressing, and his favorite part about serving the citizens of Ocala.

Nonprofits featured in this episode: Open Arms Village and Children's Home Society

Kent Guinn
Kent Guinn assumed the office of Mayor in December 2011 after serving the City of Ocala for 12 years as the Councilman representing District 4.

Mayor Guinn has been in the financial services business for the past 41 years and is owner of the firm Guinn & Company, LLC. He has served on many local boards. He is a current member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition’s Florida Advisory Committee, U.S. Conference of Mayors, where he serves on the Criminal Justice and International Affairs Committee and is a Member of the Ocala Horse Alliance.

Mayor Guinn is a 5th generation Ocalan. His family has been in Ocala since 1850. He and his wife Sandra have been married for 43 years, have two sons and one granddaughter.

The Catalyst is hosted by the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, sponsored by Douglas Law Firm and recorded live at Wiley Productions podcast studios, located in Ocala, Florida. New episodes, guests, and perspectives of leadership premiere twice a month. Follow us on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy podcasts.

Natalie McComb:

The Catalyst, a CEP podcast on bold leadership in the Ocala Metro, hosted by the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, sponsored by Douglas law firm and recorded live and Wiley productions podcast studios located in Ocala, Florida. Welcome to the catalyst. I'm your host Natalie McComb, Vice President for the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership Foundation and I'm joined today by Kent Gwynn, Mayor for the City of Ocala. Welcome to the show, Kent.

@Kent Guinn:

Thank you, Natalie. Great to be here.

Natalie McComb:

So you have a long history of public service to the City of Ocala. 12 years on City Council representing District Four, followed by more than a decade as our mayor. So, in your opinion, what makes this town so special?

@Kent Guinn:

Well, I mean, I'm a fifth generation Ocalan. So I've grown up here, seen it for a long time, before I got on council. I would just say to people...I was just telling gentlemen outside here about, you know, being able to pick the phone up and say, hey, I've got a citizen that needs some help. And people just go, "what do you got Mayor?" You know, we work together, we solve problems. And, you know, if you don't have that, if the community is not oriented, you know, like that, things just don't work out. I mean, I talk to other cities around the country, and, and tell them about how easy government is and, you know, public partnerships and things like that happen, and they were like, we don't really work like that. Yeah, fill in the blank, whatever city it may be, you know, we have problems dealing with, you know, other city governments, county governments and such. So, so yeah, we are fortunate to have people that are very compassionate and caring.

Natalie McComb:

Yeah, yeah, for sure. And, you know, most in our town, may just know you as mayor, particularly a lot of those who have more recently moved to Ocala. But you also own a local business. So tell us more about that experience.

@Kent Guinn:

So back in 1982, I got in the insurance business, and I've been doing that for what it'll be 41 years. And so we you know, doing business and estate planning for, you know, professionals, business owners, things like that.

Natalie McComb:

Yeah, for sure. For sure. And, as you mentioned, you're a fifth generation Ocalean. Ocalean, am I saying that? Right? Yep. Which means that you and your family have certainly seen a lot of change and a lot of progress in town over the years. What improvement specifically the downtown area do you think has been the most impactful?

@Kent Guinn:

Well, I'll touch on your question and kind of tie it in. Probably that hotel. That happening was a real catalyst for the growth in downtown. Back in 1967, there was a hotel there that was torn down. My father got about, I can't remember how many, bricks. Was about 5000 bricks. And my job between the 7th grade and 10th grade was to clean bricks in the afternoon. For the house he was going to build when we moved. And so I did all that. I would invite friends over and say, Hey, you want to clean bricks? I'll give you a penny a brick. No, Kent I'll pass on that.

Natalie McComb:

So you started a business if you will, right?

@Kent Guinn:

So we, yeah, we grew up here. And my father was in the printing business. And he had watched him, you know, work real hard and sacrifice. You don't realize the things your parents did until you get older and kind of think, "wow, they did that." So yeah, it was. It was great. It was great living in Ocala.

Natalie McComb:

Wonderful. And, you know, it's one of those things that certainly in your position as mayor, you've had to be involved in a lot of different things. But your service to boards, organizations, and nonprofits over the years really started before that. As mayor, certainly, you've been involved with the US Conference of Mayors and organizations that focus on criminal justice, substance abuse, and juvenile issues. But one organization in particular that you've had a long history of service for is Children's Home Society. And I understand that has a personal connection for you. Can you explain that a little bit further?

@Kent Guinn:

Yeah, so you know, I was adopted. So back in 1954 my mother, who is an unwed mother that lived up in Corning, New York area, you know, got pregnant. And 19 year old unwed girls aren't supposed to be pregnant, you know, in 1954. And so her doctor somehow knew about Children's Home Society and they said Norma just go to to Jacksonville and Children's Home Soceity will take care of you. And you can have the baby and come back home. And, you know, we'll say you went to secretarial school or whatever. And so she did that. I was born, it was Baptist Hospital then, which became children's, Wolfson's Children's Medical Center, shortly thereafter. And so, for months someone took care of me after I was born. And they adopted me (my parents) and they had adopted my sister through CHS before that. So, then we came to Ocala.

Natalie McComb:

Wow, and created your your family really.

@Kent Guinn:

Yeah, so I served on their board from gosh, the state board from like, 1992. I remember, I think when I became mayor, I think I got off their board. It was just, I didn't have the time to do it. But was still on the division board, but yeah enjoyed it. I thought you should obviously give back to the organization that you gave me life.

Natalie McComb:

Yeah. And for those who may not be aware of Children's Home Society, we'll be sure to include a link on the episodes page. So you can learn a little bit more about about that organization. So, one of your major responsibilities as mayor is overseeing the Ocala Police Department, which you have partnered with on a number of programs. Anyone in particular that you're most proud of that you want to highlight today?

@Kent Guinn:

I would probably say, you know, Chief Graham did this program, it was the amnesty program. We worked with the billboard companies and you know, we had this campaign talking about addiction is not a crime. And we were encouraging people to come in, if they needed help, just to walk in and go, "Look, I'm done. I can't live like this anymore, I need some help." And we will take them at no cost to The Centers at the time. And, you know, they would go into rehab for 90 days. And, you know, come out the other side hopefully successful. Now we have the hospital district that's partnered, and done that with us. We have a variety of places to take people now. But I would probably say that saved a lot of lives. And I would probably say that's one of the great things that we did.

Natalie McComb:

That's wonderful. And and I'm sure as you've had some successes with programs like that, and initiatives that thankfully other communities have learned from or taken it as a model. I'm sure not all those moments have been have been easy. So what have you found the most challenging as mayor and being in that position?

@Kent Guinn:

Well, it's working out better right now, but the chronic homeless that's been a real problem. You know, there are people that have mental illnesses, but we need the state to build more mental institutions to get people off the street, and get them the help that they need. And then there's the truly homeless that, you know, I'll talk about Open Arms Village in a second. But you know, that's one component. Then the chronic homeless, and that's the ones you see, you know, in LA or San Francisco that we see on TV. With the tents all over the street and just, you know, filth and the drugs and things like that, that they live in. That's been a real problem, you know, to deal with. We're dealing with it, but we've got a three man task force. That's all they do. Is they deal with that.

Natalie McComb:

What's really your favorite part of the job? What gets you coming in and you say, you know what, I really like this. It makes you come into City Hall every day just energized for the next.

@Kent Guinn:

Well, I mean, you know, I love when the phone rings, and people say, hey, Mayor, I need your help. You know. And it's like, okay, what do you got? Yeah, you know, it's a project is something to work on and things like that. And that's, that's one of the things I was talking to the gentleman outside earlier, than I can pick the phone up and say, "hey, Natalie, I'm working on this, or hey, Scot, Scot Quintel, when he was a United Way, I've got a problem and I need your help." And just the resources and the people that just jump in and try to help you solve problems. You know, I've got a thing on my desk, talks about, from Reagan, talks about that there's no limit to where a man can go if he's not worried about, you know, who gets to credit. And I'm always, I could care less who gets the credit. It's like, this is the project. Let's jump in and get it done.

Natalie McComb:

Yeah. And what a great position to be in as well. And is there any advice that that you would have for other leaders in this community who may be considering running for public office?

@Kent Guinn:

Well, I would say, you know, I've said this before, if you don't genuinely care about the people you serve, I mean, like really care about them. It's, you know, you shouldn't be in that position. You know, if you're doing it just, you want to climb the ladder and you know, go to the next level in politics or that's all that is. That's, it's not for you. Yeah, you know, you gotta be willing to ride around in the middle of the night and, you know, find out, you know why someone's electric, you know, is not on. You got to meet people in the middle of the night when their son's wanting to get in the, you know, the recovery program. You got to be able to, you know, to do all that. That was one of Greg's five rules, you know, was look for ways to say yes. Have fun at your job. If you make a mistake doing the right thing, don't worry about it, you know, we'll fix it. Ask for forgiveness rather than permission. You know, just means if you see something that needs to be done, just do it. You know, and don't ask, hey, boss can I do this? Like your boss is gonna go, gosh you're killing me. You don't need permission to do your job. Yeah, so, you see something that needs to be done, do it. So that's one of the great things about being the mayor is, you know, I don't answer to anybody except for the public. So every two years, they get to decide if I'm doing a good job or not. Yeah, you know, that's great.

Natalie McComb:

And you referenced that you made the decision not to run for reelection this year. With your final term as Mayor of Ocala coming to a close later this year, do you have any thoughts on what's next?

@Kent Guinn:

Yeah, I mean, I do when I'm talking to probably 3, 4, 5 people about what's next? So, but I don't want to really say right now.

Natalie McComb:

Not ready to slow down quite yet?

@Kent Guinn:

No, I think I have a lot more to offer. So yeah, I'll spend some time solving problems.

Natalie McComb:

What's one nonprofit organization that you'd like to highlight today? And why?

@Kent Guinn:

Well, I think I touched on them a little bit That's wonderful. And for those of you who may not be familiar earlier. And just to get a little bit more in depth, is the with Open Arms Village, we will be including a link on the Open Arms Village, you know, that we started, which was kind of a partnership, and people really got together to do that. Father Pat, Karla Grimsley, Steve Hollister with Brothers Keeper. Gosh, just a bunch of people. That are not here now. Yeah, and you know, these are men, and now we're expanding it to women, but these are men who are homeless. Like I was talking about maybe even chronic homeless, on the street, in the woods, that have come to us and said, you know what, I just can't live like this anymore. I need some help. And here's the difference. And I'm willing to do all the things that are necessary to get myself out of this situation. And I want you to hold me accountable. So we do that. So our success rate is about 85%. When they leave, they have 1,000's of dollars in the bank, because they don't pay anything to live there at the church. And they have a full time job. You know, and so they've gone from I have nothing I'm on the street to I have, you know, a full time job 1,000's of dollars and a place to live. You know, but I will tell you that, the difference in them and some of the other ones that you see is they're willing to do what's necessary to do it right. They're willing to accept the help. That's what people want. What these men have achieved, but they're just not willing to do the things that are required to get there. episodes page, so you can click and learn a little bit more about the great work that they're doing. And now a word from our sponsor.

@Sponsor: Douglas Law Firm:

Hello, this is Jeremiah Block with the Douglas Law Firm. We are a full-service law firm with many practice areas to serve your particular needs. We are located in Downtown Ocala, 110 North Magnolia Avenue. Coming from a seventh-generation family here in Ocala. I am honored for our law firm to partner with the CEP to bring you these podcasts. We hope you enjoy it.

Natalie McComb:

So now is the fun part of the interview. We're getting into the lightning round questions. All right. Ready? So what advice would you give to yourself at age 15?

@Kent Guinn:

At age 15, I was just starting, I think the 10th grade I would say, and I was playing a lot of golf. I would say study really hard. School should be your entire focus.

Natalie McComb:

You mean it wasn't? Golf was a little up there?

@Kent Guinn:

I would study, but I would just say you know, that it's a short period of time, high school. Do really, really well in their study, you know, go to your counselor, you know, and you know, knock their door down. Hey, tell me this, tell me thatm you know, and you know, get yourself on the right track to whatever it is that you want to do. Whether it's law or own a business or electrician, plumber, whatever it may be, that you want to do, just get really, really focused. All that partying and all that stuff, that'll come and go. You got the next, you know, 40-50 years of your life to live. And all of that makes a difference in how you're going to live the rest of it.

Natalie McComb:

And how would you describe yourself in one word?

@Kent Guinn:

Humble. People see people in my position. And they think, oh, well, you know, he's, you know, on the news or this or that, you know, but it's just, that's just part of the job. I mean, you know, I think it's very humbling, and I'll tell you a piece of advice that I got, it's very humbling that you know, anybody would want to have your picture their picture taken with you. Gerald Ergle, Mayor Ergle, you know, when I became mayor says, "Hey, Mayor, any advice you could give me?" He says, yeah, he said, you know, don't think others don't think you're as important as others think you are. I didn't really get that until right at the Christmas parade a little girl came, Ralph Emilio's daughter, said, "Oh, can I have my picture taken with you?" Sure. Yeah. Like, I'm thinking to myself, why would why would she want her picture taken with me? And I told the mayor, Mayor Ergle, that because you make it a big deal for them because to them, it's a big deal.

Natalie McComb:

What was your first job and what did you learn from that experience?

@Kent Guinn:

First, like real job? Was working for Auggie Greiner, at Greiner's men's store when I was in 11th grade. And I learned a lot from him. I mean, he taught me he was like, my second dad. You know, don't judge of all things. Don't judge people by the clothes that they wear. And I learned that in the banking business, you know, we saw people that you know, had chewing tobacco all over them and you know boots and that, but were worth hundreds of millions of dollars. You know? And, you know, talk to everyone you know, Auggie would talk to anybody, and they'd walk in the store. You know, he would, "Hey, Mr. Steinbrenner. How are you?" Like, wow that's George Steinbrenner? Yeah. You know, what can I help you with? Just hey, how's family? How's this? How's that? You know? And so yeah, taught me to talk to everyone. That's one of the things I learned. Don't ever be afraid to talk to people. You know, they're people just like, you and I. And, you know, they got problems. And, you know, I'll tell you a quick story. I had called John Malone, welcomed him to Ocala, they had bought Bridlewood farm. And so fast forward a couple of years after that I saw him at Chester Weber's event, somebody invited me over to the table where he was there and I said, you probably don't remember me. And he goes, "Remember you? I talked about you often." I go, really? He goes, Yeah. And he said,"Most places I go, the first two people that call me are the Property Appraiser and the Tax Collector." He's the largest landowner in the country. He said no, in Ocala, Florida, he said the mayor calls me and thanks me for coming.

Natalie McComb:

But that's the impression you made. How

@Kent Guinn:

Yeah. Obviously, very successful man. But you important that is. know, you can talk to him, you know. What I advise young people, people in general, don't be afraid to, you know, talk to people that are in positions of authority, whatever it is.

Natalie McComb:

And who is a leader, you admire?

@Kent Guinn:

Jared that runs Signature Brands. I played golf with him before and talked to him and just watched you know, how he's worked at Signature Brands. And he's great about, asking his executives, he doesn't tell them what to do. He lets them figure it out for themselves. He's great at asking questions, and letting them lead themselves to, you know, the answer that they need. Where they need to be. Super involved in the community, strong advocate of United Way and everything they're doing over there. Strong Families, very involved in that. I mean, he's just the kind of leader that, you know, you look for, and I will tell you one thing that's really important to me is that the neighborhood that I grew up in is on the northeast side of town, tough neighborhood. And that's why my father, that's why I clean those bricks to get out of that neighborhood. I drive that way every once in a while, you know, look around. Actually, it's within about 75 yards of Open Arms Village, which was kind of...

Natalie McComb:

Meaningful?

@Kent Guinn:

Yeah, back in that neighborhood and do that, you know, 75 yards from where I grew up. But, you know, it was a tough neighborhood. You learned don't ever let anybody intimidate you. You know, and you have to learn that in politics. And I think, you know, growing up in a neighborhood like that has helped me, you know, in, in public life, but we need to have, we need to have like more of people that don't agree with each other, actually, find some common ground.

Natalie McComb:

Yeah, come together.

@Kent Guinn:

Yeah. I mean, I'll use some names here. You know, some people that didn't live here, they might not know. But guys, like Buddy McKay was our lieutenant governor, was governor for three weeks under Lawton Chiles. Jimmy Williams is a lieutenant governor, lived here. They're Democrats, I'm Republican. But we need to have more people that agree on things. Find a common ground.

Natalie McComb:

Cause there's more that we agree on than we don't. And to let those things we disagree on define the narrative and prevent us from from coming into any kind of consensus for the community. No one's benefiting from that.

@Kent Guinn:

Well, that's why I think local government works so well. Yeah, we can do that. And Tallahassee, Washington, not so much. So yeah, we need more of that. Because the people here in local government are closer to the people than you know, Tallahassee and Washington. We see him in public, right? See them at church, you're neighbors, you know, hey, what about my electric bill? What about, what are you getting the stop sign over there, this street or that street?

Natalie McComb:

You're the neighbor that can solve the problem, right? Or at least figure out how to solve the problem, right? Yeah. That's wonderful.

@Kent Guinn:

When's the mosquito truck coming by? Yeah.

Natalie McComb:

Well, thank you so much, Mayor Guinn, for being on The Catalyst today. We really appreciate your time.

@Kent Guinn:

Glad to be here. Great questions. And thank you a lot for inviting me.

Natalie McComb:

Thank you for joining us for another episode of The Catalyst hosted by the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, sponsored by Douglas Law Firm and recorded live at Wiley Productions podcast studios. New episodes, guests, and perspectives on leadership premiere twice a month. Follow us on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy your podcasts. Have a suggestion for a future guest email us at thecatalyst@ocalacep.com