TEAM / Stephen Marante

Stephen Marante joined The Southern Group in 2026, bringing experience in legislative affairs, economic development policy, and executive-branch government relations. He advises clients on navigating complex state policy and regulatory environments, with expertise in economic development, insurance, workforce policy, land use, and international commerce.

Prior to joining the firm, Stephen served as Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs for the Florida Department of Commerce and SelectFlorida, where he led legislative strategy and served as a primary liaison to the Florida Legislature and Executive Office of the Governor. In that role, he coordinated policy and budget priorities related to business recruitment, workforce development, growth management, international trade, and community planning while advising agency leadership on emerging policy issues impacting Florida’s economy and regional growth.

Earlier in his career, Stephen served as Deputy Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, where he helped oversee the implementation of major reforms to Florida’s insurance laws and managed legislative and cabinet affairs for the agency. He was also in the Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program under Governor Ron DeSantis, gaining experience across the executive branch in policy analysis, strategic planning, and state agency operations.

Stephen began his public policy career through legislative internships with the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives. He earned both his master’s degree in Applied American Politics and bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Florida State University, graduating magna cum laude.