Dear Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association Members and Past Presidents,

It is with great enthusiasm and a deep sense of responsibility that I step into the role of President of our esteemed organization. I am honored to lead an association filled with such dedicated and talented professionals.

The theme during my presidency is Empowered, Engaged, Elevate: Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today. I am committed to three core priorities during my tenure:

Reconnect and Increase Member Engagement: Our association thrives when our members are actively involved and connected. I plan to initiate more opportunities for networking, collaboration, and meaningful engagement. Through quarterly meetings, open forums, webinars, affiliate chapters, and BLSA presidents throughout the state of Florida, we will foster a sense of community and shared purpose.

Create a Strong Succession Plan Through Leadership Development: To ensure the continued success and sustainability of our association, it is crucial to develop a robust leadership pipeline. Through our relationships with the law schools throughout the state of Florida I am dedicated to identifying and nurturing future leaders through our mentorship program, leadership training, and opportunities for members to take on more active roles within our organization and committees.

Enhance Visibility Through Service, Advocacy, and social media: Our association must be a visible and influential force in the legal community. By actively participating in service projects, advocating for important legal issues, and leveraging social media, we will raise our profile and demonstrate our commitment to the profession and the broader community.

I am excited about the journey ahead and confident that, together, we can achieve great things. I look forward to your active participation and valuable contributions and wisdom, as we work towards these goals. Let’s make this a period of growth, innovation, and increased impact for our association.

Thank you for your trust and support. I look forward to leading our great organization onward and upward.

Respectfully,
Benjamin C. Garcia
2024-2025 President
Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association