Draft:Ron Book

Ron Book
Born
Ronald Lee Book

(1952-12-03) December 3, 1952 (age 73)
Pleasanton, California, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Florida
Florida International University (BA)
Tulane University (JD)
Occupations
  • Founder, CEO, and Coach of North Miami Track Club (NMTC) (1971-????)
  • Founder & CEO of Ronald L. Book, P.A.
  • Chairman of Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust (2004–present)
Spouse
Patricia Duda Gafis
​
(m. 1984)​
Children3 (incl. Lauren Book)
Websitehttps://rlbookpa.com/

Look at articles after September 22, 1979.

Ronald Lee Book (born December 3, 1952) is an American lobbyist, lawyer, former politician, and former track and field coach. Book is currently the founder and CEO of Robert L. Book, P.A. and the chairman of the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust.

Early life

Book was born in Pleasanton, California[1] to former United States Air Force lieutenant, dentist, and orchid grower Harold Book and nurse Delores Betty Koret.[2][3] Book and his parents moved to North Miami, Florida when he was six months old due to his father being discharged from the air force.[4][5]

At age 13, Book and his friends successfully petitioned and lobbied North Miami city officials (including the city's mayor Elton Gissendanner) to install lights for a new park within his neighborhood.[6]

While attending North Miami Senior High School, Book played on the high school's football and track and field teams and was captain for the track and field team during his senior year. Book also founded a student organization called "North Dade Youths for Progress" which "organized coffee houses and concerts and manned a 'hot line' for troubled youths".[6] Book won honorable mention in the South Florida Science fair in 1969 and followed up with winning an excellent award in 1970.[7][8] In 1969, helped lead the high school's track and field team win a 12-mile marathon in Fort Myers, Florida along with four other teammates.[9] In 1970, Book and two teammates on the high school football team gathered signatures along U.S. Route 1, led by Miami attorney Ellis Rubin, for a petition to lift the NFL's blackout of Super Bowl VI on Miami's residents.[10][11] In 1971, Book was one of 252 total high school seniors in the Miami-Dade County, Florida to be nominated for the Silver Knight Award in social studies[12] Book graduated from North Miami High in 1970.[6]

Book initially attended the University of Florida from 1971-1973.[13] Book then transferred to and graduated from Florida International University in 1974. Book then went to and graduated from Tulane University School of Law with a Juris Doctor in 1977.[6][14]

Career

Track and Field Coaching Career (1972-c. 1985)

Book founded North Miami Track Club in 1972 because of his "sincere interest in helping young, exceptional athletes who need more guidance than they got in the short high school track season" and where kids can "learn and train in a competitive atmosphere" by "train[ing] and exercis[ing] properly". The reasoning partially came from the constant turnover of coaching when Book was in high school. The track club gave kids an opportunity to continue working on their skills during the summer.[13]

The track club, in its first years of existence, didn't have a permanent place to practice. The club had to consistently practice at schools.[15][16]

In 1975, the athletes had to be transported to the hospital due Lightning strikes during practice.[15]

In 1978, Book sent five athletes to the 1978 Amateur Athletic Union Junior Championship in Bloomington, Indiana, including two future Florida Gators: Shot put athlete Sharon Lotmore[15][17][18] and Sprinter Pam Rodgers[19][20][16][21], as well as high jumper Ruben Flowers. Flowers made it to the Amateur Athletic Union's national travel team to represent the United States.[22] Book also sent forty athletes to the Atlanta Invitational Track and Field Meet in Atlanta, Georgia, and five athletes to the Mardi Gras Track and Field Meet in New Orleans taking home seven medals from New Orleans.[18][22] Book also sent eight athletes to the 1978 AAU Junior Olympic Games in Lincoln, Nebraska which was, according to the Miami Herald, "the most entries of any [track and field] club in Florida".[23] Book was also nominated, by the White House via Jimmy Carter, to be an advisor on the Presidential Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.[24]

In 1979, Book's two athletes, including Rodgers, "took [two honors]" at the Baton Rouge International Track and Field Festival.[21]

Book was remarked by his former athlete and assistant coach as "tough and demanding". The coaching staff also included Bahamian olympian Danny Smith (athlete)[13]

Book also oversaw the team's fundraising efforts from local governments and privately-owned companies. In 1976, Book secured a $1,500 contribution from North Miami's City council to obtain new uniforms. Ever since, the track club has received annual $3,000 contributions from the city council. The track club received $2,000 from North Miami's city council to fund the team's travel expenses for the 1978-79 Academic year.[13][25] In 1979, Book successfully lobbied the North Miami city council to raise their contribution from $2,000 to $5,000[26]. In 1979, the track club received $1,700 from the city for its 1979 trip to the AAU junior olympics, which received criticism from city officials regarding sponsorship of residents outside the city.[27][28] Book also served as a reference point to intercollegiate athletics coaches.[19][29]

By August 1979, the team had an operating budget of $7,000.[28]

Book resigned from his role as late as 1985.

Politics (1971-????)

During his college years, Book served as Vice President for the Young Democrats of Florida[30][31] and served as an aide for Democratic Representative Alan S. Becker.[32][33][6]

Book was elected and served as an alternate delegate for Alabama governor George Wallace in the 1976 Democratic National Convention during Wallace's bid for presidency.[34][35] Book was initially called out by the Wallace delegate for his support for Jimmy Carter during the 1976 United States presidential election.[36][37][38]

Book served as a legislative aide to future Florida governor Bob Graham. Book assisted Graham to win the Gold Coast area during the 1978 Florida gubernatorial election. Book's role was to "keep in touch with what lobbyists from the various state departments (i.e. Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Commerce) are doing".[39][40] Book also helped pass a bill, in 1979, that would give the Secretary of State of Florida some power over the state's governing body of over 500,000 professional licenses.[41][42] In the aftermath of Hurricane David, Book was responsible for being a spokesperson for the state on their activities to assess and clean up.[43][44]

Political views

In his early years, Book was a Democrat and supported George McGovern and Jimmy Carter in both of their presidential campaigns despite being a delegate for George Wallace. Book called himself "a Jewish Miami liberal" after Wallace dropped out of the race for presidency[33][38] and a "self-described moderate Democrat".[6] Book also endorsed Bob Graham during the 1978 Florida gubernatorial election.[45]

As of 1979, Book was opposed to women requiring to receive consent from a legal guardian or judge to get an Abortion.[42]

On February 24, 2019, Book crashed his Lamborghini with another driver on Interstate 595 (Florida). Book claimed that the driver cut him off changing lanes from his right, but the Florida Highway Patrol officer noted that the "damage to Book's car was on the left". After failing to pass the field sobriety testing and refusing to submit a breathalyzer test, Book was arrested, taken into the Broward County jail, and charged with three misdemeanor Driving under the influence (DUI) counts. One of the three counts included a refusal to submit a DUI test and the rest included damage to another's property or person.[46] Book posted a $1,500 bond the day after the incident.[47] On September 29, 2021 Book pled no contest in exchange for deferred adjudication.[48]

Personal life

Book is married to former chocolate retailer Patricia "Pat" Duda Gafis. The couple have three children together including their eldest child: former educator, and current politician: Lauren Book. Book currently resides in Plantation, Florida.

References

  1. ^ "Ronald Lee Book, Born 12/03/1952 in California | CaliforniaBirthIndex.org". californiabirthindex.org. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  2. ^ "Miss Koret Is Engaged To Dr. Book". Asheville Citizen-Times. Vol. 19, no. 12. Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. November 21, 1948. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Klein, Allison (February 24, 1998). "Delores Book, nurse campaigned for Democrats". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Elder, Kara (2024-02-06). "Spotlight: Ron Book in Miami, Florida". Dreams Abroad. Retrieved 2025-08-18.
  5. ^ Shores, Karla (February 13, 2003). "Harold Book, 80, dentist, orchid breeder". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. p. 6B – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Krantz, Bob (March 15, 1979). "He's building his dream piece by piece". The Miami Herald. pp. 1, 15.
  7. ^ Werne, Jo (March 15, 1969). "Teen Scientist Isn't Afraid to Make Waves". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 2-B – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "These Youngsters Top Science Fair". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. March 14, 1971. p. 2-C – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "North Miami High Wins Marathon Run". The Miami Herald. Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. March 16, 1970. p. 7C – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Rubin's Joggers In Town". The Miami Herald. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. July 20, 1970. p. 2-C – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "They're Not Running Away from Fight". The Miami Herald. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. p. 4-BR – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Presenting the 1971 Nominees for the Silver Knight Awards". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. May 2, 1971. p. 30L – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b c d Krantz, Bob (March 15, 1979). "It wasn't easy, but the North Miami Track Club made it". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. pp. 14–15 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Ron Book not just son of Delores". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. April 16, 1978. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b c Klinkenberg, Jeff (June 30, 1975). "Bolt makes track club hit the dirt". The Miami News. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ a b "South Florida Hopes Seem Bleak for 1980". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. July 9, 1979. p. 4-D – via Newspapers.com. Those who have an outside shot of qualifying for the 1980 U.S. team include quarter-miler Pam Rodgers, who says she will graduate from North Miami High six months early and enroll at the University of Florida to undergo an extensive training program.
  17. ^ Krantz, Bob (March 30, 1978). "North Miami shot-putter sues to compete in district meet". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ a b Krantz, Bob (June 1, 1978). "Athletes earn tryout for soccer all-stars". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com. At the meeting, Lotmore also announced that she will sign a letter of intent to attend the University of Florida, Book said she turned down scholarships from approximately 60 schools, including UCLA, Alabama, Kansas, and Tennessee.
  19. ^ a b Morris, Brian (July 2, 1978). "Ashford, Rodgers: Big Push". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 16-C – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Krantz, Bob (August 17, 1978). "Norland High runner one of best in U.S." The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ a b Krantz, Bob. "One down, two to go for N. Miami soccer team". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ a b Krantz, Bob (July 6, 1978). "N. Miami jumper takes big leap onto U.S. track and field team". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Krantz, Bob (August 10, 1978). "N. Miami runners local 'stars' in televised meet". The Miami Herald. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Krantz, Bob (October 5, 1978). "NMB Boosters raise $1,800 for football". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 27 – via Newspapers.com. WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU - Ron Book, coach of the North Miami Track Club, got a disappointing letter from the White House last week. He was nominated more than a year ago for a position on the Presidential Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
  25. ^ Krantz, Bob (May 28, 1978). "Track club to take the money and run". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ Krantz, Bob (April 1, 1979). "North Miami gives Track Club 'raise'". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ Elkind, Peter (August 9, 1979). "She throws foes 'clean,' but bouts can be killers". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ a b Elkind, Peter (August 2, 1979). "N. Miami Track Club's best doesn't include city residents". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Krantz, Bob (June 22, 1978). "North Miami Track Club divides to conquer". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ Book, Ronald (May 14, 1974). "Jon Moyle 'Great Asset To Democratic Party'". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida, U.S. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. ^ Book, Ronald. "Young Democrats Defend Chairman". Florida Today. Cocoa, Florida, U.S. p. 6A – via Newspapers.com.
  32. ^ McDermott, John (May 4, 1975). "Do We Need Annual Sessions?". The Miami Herald. p. 4-E – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ a b "Dem convention a way to learn". The Bradenton Herald. New York City, New York, U.S. Associated Press. p. A-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ Nease, Jack (July 4, 1976). "Carter's Secular Rules Fits Winning Image". The Tampa Tribune. Washington, District of Columbia, U.S. p. 18-A – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ "Florida Delegates, Alternates Listed". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida, U.S. July 11, 1976. p. 23-A – via Newspapers.com.
  36. ^ "Brown Pledges To Fight Carter For Nomination". The Orlando Sentinel. New York City, New York, U.S. United Press International (UPI). July 13, 1976 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ Reid, Charles (July 14, 1976). "3 Florida Wallace Delegates Don't Back Alabama Goernor". News-Press. New York City, New York, U.S. Gannett. p. 8A – via Newspapers.com.
  38. ^ a b Fowler, Mike (July 14, 1976). "Floridians For Wallace Admit Support Not There". The Tampa Tribune. New York City, New York, U.S. p. 9-A – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ Cunningham, Ron (March 31, 1979). "Ex-Mayor of North Miami riders herd on lawmakers". The Miami News. Miami, Florida, U.S. p. 4A – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ Cunningham, Ron (April 1, 1979). "Just Who Is This Elton Gissendanner Guy?". The Palm Beach Post. Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. pp. D1, D4 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ Moore Jr., Jere (May 3, 1979). "Licensing boards deadlock broken". The Florida Times-Union. Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. p. B-3 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ a b Shaw Jr., Robert D. (June 30, 1979). "Court Test Vowed, So Graham Signs Doctors Legislation". The Miami Herald. Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. p. 10-A – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ Moore Jr., Jere (September 4, 1979). "1st reports indicated damage was light - and then it grew". The Florida Times-Union. Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. p. B-2 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ "Storm's Damages Surveyed". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. September 5, 1979. p. A8.
  45. ^ "N. Dade Democrats handy, Carter finds". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S. November 5, 1978. p. 32 – via Newspapers.com.
  46. ^ "Powerful Lobbyist Ron Book Charged With DUI In Broward". WFOR-TV. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. February 25, 2019.
  47. ^ Neal, David J. (February 25, 2019). "Influential lobbyist Ron Book arrested on DUI charges after Lamborghini crash". The Miami Herald. Miami, Florida, U.S.
  48. ^ Olmeda, Rafael (September 10, 2021). "Hotshot lobbyist Ron Book, who crashed his Lamborghini in a DUI case, walks away with no criminal record". South Florida Sun Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023.

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