John Peyton | |
|---|---|
 John Peyton speaking during agroundbreaking ceremony in 2007 | |
| 6thMayor of Jacksonville | |
| In office July 1, 2003 – July 1, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | John Delaney |
| Succeeded by | Alvin Brown |
| President ofGate Petroleum | |
| Assumed office 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Herb Peyton |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1964-07-28)July 28, 1964 (age 61) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kathryn Pearson |
| Parents |
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| Alma mater | Mercer University |
| Profession | President ofGate Petroleum politician |
John Stephens Peyton (born July 28, 1964) is an American businessman and politician who is currently president ofGate Petroleum. He served asMayor of Jacksonville,Florida from 2003 to 2011, when he was succeeded byAlvin Brown. He was the secondRepublican to be elected to the position since 1888. After his term he returned to Gate, his family business, and succeeded his fatherHerb Peyton as the company's president in January 2012.
Peyton's father isHerb Peyton, founder and principal owner ofGate Petroleum, one of the largest privately held companies in the state. They have made a considerable fortune developing, buying and selling land to both the state and federal governments, as well as owningPonte Vedra Inn and Club and other clubs and resorts, 225 Gate Gas and convenience stores in the southeastern United States, and several other businesses. Prior to his election as mayor, Peyton served as board Chairman for theJacksonville Transportation Authority; Vice President of Gate and serving as chairman of the Board of Directors for theJacksonville Symphony andGreenscape of Jacksonville.[1]
Peyton attendedMercer University and earned a bachelor's degree, then graduated from theHarvard Business School Executive Education Program.
A long-time bachelor, Peyton became engaged during his first campaign and married Jacksonville physician Kathryn Pearson on June 1, 2003.[2] They have two sons, John Conner, born in 2005, and Kent Thomas, born in 2007. Peyton is anEpiscopalian.
Peyton took office as the sixth mayor of Jacksonville on July 1, 2003.[3] Peyton survived a crowded Republican primary and defeatedDemocraticDuval County SheriffNat Glover, for the seat in a race that was the most expensive in Jacksonville history. In 2007, Peyton defeated community activist Jackie Brown by a margin over 50% to win a second term.[4] Peyton's administration is best known for the Jacksonville Journey, a crime prevention program that invested more than $50 million into suspension centers and college scholarships, summer camps and after-school programs.[5]
Peyton's term of office ended on July 1, 2011, andAlvin Brown succeeded him as the city's first African-American mayor. In a January 9, 2009, interview in theFinancial News & Daily Record, Peyton was asked about his plans for 2011 when his term ended. He responded:[6]
I’m going back to Gate and rejoin the family business. I’m looking forward to that. I told dad (Herb Peyton) that he has saved a lot of money because he hasn’t had to pay me for eight years. I think my father is very eager to retire. He wasn’t excited about me running for a second term. If it had been his choice, I would have gone back sooner.
Peyton returned to Gate following his terms, briefly serving as vice president while he got up to speed on the company businesses. In January 2012, Gate announced John Peyton would succeed his father as president, while his father will take a less active role in the company.[7]
In 2016, Peyton was elected as the 2018 JAX Chamber Board of Directors chairman.[8]
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Mayor of Jacksonville 2003–2011 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
