REAL Exclusive Magazine

Rex Jensen Speaks On Growth And Climate Change At Mote Marine.

Rex Jensen, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch (SMR) President and CEO, was a keynote speaker at the Mote Marine Symposium on Land-Sea Interactions in Southwest Florida today. The two-day session began Monday, October 12, with a goal to initiate community dialogue on coastal zone planning in the context of changing land-sea interactions.

Jensen gave a private sector perspective on how development planning is affected by sea level rise and climate change. He addressed the successes and shortfalls of past and present comprehensive planning in Sarasota and Manatee counties and gave an introspective look into the history of growth in the region.

Jensen also spoke on the controversial issues of the Hometown Democracy amendment, population and demographic trends in the local area and Florida and the difference between planning for success and growth “management”.

Jensen was promoted to President of SMR in August 2002 and became Chief Executive Officer in February 2005.As CEO Jensen oversees all the businesses of SMR, including agriculture, aggregate mining and real estate development on its 30,000-acre land holding in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Lakewood Ranch , the company’s award-winning development, is one of Florida’s fastest selling, fully integrated, master-planned communities and has been proactive in establishing and promoting a community that represents smart growth and green building. Under Jensen’s leadership, SMR’s development plan was selected by Sarasota County to be the first village approved for development as a part of the county’s 2050 plan allowing development east of I-75. Jensen is also credited with designing the state’s first multi-county Stewardship District, which was signed into law in 2005.