Campaign Team Bios
Max Linn, Candidate for Governor of the State of Florida
Tom Macklin, Max Linn's running mate for Lt. Governor
Doug Friedline, Campaign Manager
Russ Verney, Director of Operations
Don Zimmer, Baseball Legend and Honorary Campaign Coach

Contact Information for Max Linn
6133 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, Florida 33710

Phone: (727) 347 - 8784
Fax: (727) 231 - 8033
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.MaxLinn.com

Biography

Max Linn's story is one of ambitious leadership, public service and beating incredible odds. From modest beginnings in St. Petersburg, Max worked his way to the top of his profession in the financial services industry as a Certified Financial Planner.

Max earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Louisiana Tech, and was recruited by the nationally respected investment firm A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. After becoming Vice President of Investments for A. G. Edwards, Max went on to establish his own registered investment advisory firm, Linn and Associates, one of the largest and most successful firms of its kind in Florida.

Before devoting his attention entirely to public service, Max took on many charitable causes. He was the Director of Planned Giving for the Florida Holocaust Museum and a volunteer philanthropic planner with the American Cancer Society. He is an alumnus of Leadership St. Petersburg.

Max Linn achieved national prominence in the financial industry and became a much sought-after public speaker due to his groundbreaking work with educational financial workshops. He has often been quoted as a financial authority in national media, including USA Today and Research Magazine. Max was a columnist for Tampa Bay Magazine and has hosted two television shows, The Financial Explorer and The Conservative Investor.

Before selling his financial practice, Max was also passionate about political reform. As the president and founder of Florida Citizens For Term Limits, he spent more than a decade fighting to establish and enforce term limits in Florida and across the country. In 1999, Max took his crusade to defend term limits to the Florida Supreme Court and celebrated an historic victory. He also spearheaded a grassroots movement called Ideas Florida to encourage local citizens' participation in upcoming elections.

Since retiring, Max established the Military Families Foundation, a nationwide charity dedicated to improving the lives of military families suffering from a death or disability as a result of the War on Terror. He also became the Director of Operations for The Ukrainian Christian Ministry, a charity devoted to building schools, orphanages and medical clinics in economically depressed regions of Ukraine.

In 2005, Max renewed his crusade to enforce term limits in Florida after the House and Senate attempted to extend term limits from eight to twelve years through a deceptively worded measure on the 2006 ballot. After a speaking campaign that took Max from the Florida Keys to the Panhandle, Max and his group won the term limits battle when state legislators backed down and removed the controversial measure from this year's ballot.

During his statewide speaking tour, Max was galvanized by the level of public discontent with both mainstream political parties. Audiences of every political stripe gave voice to their need for a genuine political alternative.

Convinced that the time had come for a third party alternative, Max launched his maverick campaign. His bid for the governorship is typical of the boldness and vision that have marked Max Linn's life and career. With a victory in this campaign, Max pledges to bring unprecedented reform to the practice of politics as usual in the state of Florida.

To Join Forces Call (727) 347-8784

Just when you thought that we the Florida voters had no choice other than Tweedledees and Tweedledums (the current Republican and Democratic candidates) for the November 7th, 2006 Governors race the "Florida Citizens' Third Party Dream Team" are starting their engines. With your support, we will bring your interests - not special interests - to Tallahassee for a change. Our Founding Fathers were unanimous on the importance of citizen legislators, not career politicians. For the first time Florida has a third choice other than the same old Republican and Democratic mainstream parties.

Join me and Florida's "New Third Party" campaign dream team:

• Tom Macklin, former Mayor of Avon Park, Fl and now Max Linn's running mate for Lt. Governor
• Doug Friedline, former Campaign Manager for Jesse Ventura and now Campaign Manager for Max
• Russ Verney, former Campaign Manager for Ross Perot and now Campaign Coordinator for Max
• Don Zimmer, Baseball Legend and Honorary Campaign Bench Coach

"The Republican and Democratic candidates for the Florida 2006 Governor's race are among the weakest in America. By contrast, Max Linn's background of extensive civic and philanthropic involvement, success as a Financial Management Consultant and Certified Financial Planner, and his campaign as President of Florida Citizens for Term Limits during the last eight years has earned him the support of upwards of 80% of the Florida voters. In my opinion, Max is the strongest third party candidate in America today and will be Florida's next Governor."

— Russ Verney, Campaign Coordinator

"All my polling and research shows that Florida, more than any other state in the country, is best positioned for a third party governor this year. Max's qualifications for governor and passion for change bring me to Florida for this historic victory in American politics."

— Doug Friedline, Campaign Manager

"Max was my financial planner for over 20 years and I can assure you he will maintain the highest level of integrity and responsibility as governor. Please join me on November 7th and cheer Max on as he hits this one out of the park for Florida and for America."

— Don Zimmer, baseball legend

Unlike his Democratic & Republican opponents, Max has spent his career outside of politics. That’s critical in a state dominated by special interests, lobbyists and career politicians.

In 2003, Max sold his financial management company to a major New York Stock Exchange firm and retired at age 43. During his 22 year career as a Certified Financial Planner®, Max established Linn and Associates, one the most successful independent financial firms in Florida. His firm specialized in providing financial management advice to corporations, non-profit organizations and individuals.

Many voters feel this is exactly what is needed in Tallahassee. More than anything else, Florida needs fiscally responsible management of our tax dollars.

Although he may not have been in elected office, Max has always been extremely active in public service through charitable and philanthropic organizations. Among them are the following:

• Founder and President of the Florida Citizens For Term Limits

• A leading advocate for saving the voter initiative process

• Director of Operations for the Ukrainian Christian ministries

• Founder: Military Families Foundation

• Director of Planned Giving, Florida Holocaust Museum

Just this year, Max led Florida Citizens For Term Limits in the fight against a measure to undermine the state’s existing term limits law. The legislature had voted to extend - and in Max’s opinion – effectively eliminate term limits.

Max flew around the state, at his own expense, speaking to service organizations and Republican and Democratic clubs regarding the term limits issue. His barnstorming speaking tour generated a groundswell of support for eight-year term limits. Max personally delivered toy hearing aids to the opening day of the legislature to enable our elected officials “to better hear the will of the people.” Less than a year after voting to weaken term limits, the legislature backed down and removed the measure from the ballot.

During his statewide speaking tour, Max encountered widespread discontent at both Republican and Democratic clubs about the leadership of their own parties. In city after city dissatisfied party members responded enthusiastically to the possibility of a political alternative.

In June, Max decided to respond to the demand and started what has become Florida’s most meaningful and effective third party drive for the governorship. He believes in political reform so strongly he pledged $1 million of his own money to kick off his campaign.

Max has also pledged that as Governor he will donate his entire salary to non-profit organizations, because he strongly believes public office should be a service - not a profit center. If elected to the Governorship, Max has made a commitment to use the voter initiative process to follow the will of the people. Both of his opponents want to gut the voter initiative process.

The first five voter initiatives Max will bring to the voters of Florida will be:

1 A three-year moratorium on condo development

2 The elimination of tax-payer funded pensions for state legislators

3 Full disclosure of lobbyists’ pay and benefits

4 A lifetime ban to prevent legislators and legislative staff from becoming lobbyists

5 A requirement that after serving eight years, legislators must take a three year time-out from elective office

Max has also written a new, eye-opening book titled Florida: Leading the Transformation of American Politics. His new book can be purchased on this website. Excerpts can be read online by website visitors who want a deeper insight into Max’s political ideas and inspirations.

Max is a fiscal conservative, one who earnestly demands smaller government. At the same time he is socially progressive. How is that possible? Max would like you to explore this interactive website and decide if the issues are in line with your own thinking.

Max’s take on the issues is offered to you in both in streaming video and in writing. Just click on the video button if you wish to hear this unique approach to the issues from Max himself.

Max Linn invites you to you join his campaign today. And, don’t forget to vote for him on November 7th as we make a concerted effort to make real and meaningful change in Florida politics.

With your help Florida will become a beacon in American politics.

Click here to read his Stance on Issues that affect ALL Floridians