Melissa Rutland

We need creative solutions to solve the difficult problems of insurance rates and property taxes that keep climbing so they don’t break the bank for Pinellas families.” — Melissa Rutland A fourth-generation St. In her professional role, she works with property owners, small businesses, investors, and local stakeholders to find solutions and deliver results. She has been a Certified Commercial Investment Member since 2013 and has built a reputation for approaching each opportuni

St. Petersburg businesswoman running to bring real-world experience to the Florida Legislature. “I’m a businesswoman, and until recently, running for office was not part of my plan — but my community is struggling, and I understand the issues that matter most in Pinellas County. I’ve seen firsthand how the cost of rebuilding after the hurricanes and the need for sound infrastructure are pricing neighbors out of their homes. We need creative solutions to solve the difficult problems of insurance rates and property taxes that keep climbing so they don’t break the bank for Pinellas families.” — Melissa Rutland A fourth-generation St. Petersburg businesswoman, Melissa’s roots in Pinellas County stretch back more than a century, when her family helped build St. Petersburg’s business community through Rutland Brothers Department Store, Rutland’s men’s store on Central Avenue, and St. Petersburg Bank & Trust, which eventually became Rutland Bank, which left a lasting impact on the city. Melissa began her career in real estate development and investment nearly 30 years ago in the real estate department at Raymond James. In 2015, she founded Rutland Florida Gulf Group and was appointed by Mayor Rick Kriseman to the St. Petersburg Development Review Commission. During her near decade of public service on the commission, she served as the first woman chair. In 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed her to serve on the Pine