Immigration Team
DICK BATCHELOR
Business Consultant
Dick
Batchelor is the President of Dick Batchelor Management Group,
Inc. ( www.dbmginc.com), a public policy planning and business consulting
firm based Orlando, Florida. Established in 1986, the firm specializes
in providing business development consulting services, strategic government
relations and public affairs issues management. A business and community
leader and activist, Mr. Batchelor is widely recognized
for his integrity and fair handedness when involved in any business or
civic project.
The firm sought out Mr. Batchelor to be its primary business consultant for our immigration clients. It was critical for the Firm to contract with an individual and company who brought honesty, expertise and compassion to our clients business related matters. With so many immigrants having been taken advantage of in the past, our Firm wished to be associated with someone of the highest character when dealing with its clients.
Mr. Batchelor, one of the youngest individuals ever to serve in the Florida House of representatives (1974-1982), served as chairman of the Auditing Committee, the Health and Rehabilitative Services Committee and the House Energy Committee. He was also chairman of four subcommittees. Mr. Batchelor is the recipient of more than 50 awards for his legislative service.
Mr. Batchelor continued his commitment to community and business when he left the Florida Legislature in 1982. He is the 2005 recipient of the March of Dimes “Citizen of the Year Award” and In August 2005 & 2007, Orlando Magazine ranked him #2 in the category of “Best Corporate Citizen.” He currently serves on the boards of directors of Seeds of Peace, Florida Children’s Hospital Foundation (Chair), Florida Hospital Foundation (Chair), Florida’s Children First!, Harbor House, and United Negro College Fund. Since 1981 he has served as honorary chairman of the “Dick Batchelor Run for the Children,” an annual 5-K run that raises funds to treat abused children.
Dick Batchelor is routinely ranked as one of “The 50 Most Powerful People” (Orlando Magazine 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004), One of the “25 Most Influential People 2005, 2006 (Orlando Sentinel), “Central Floridian of the Year” 2003, (The Orlando Sentinel), recipient of March of Dimes COTY (Citizen of the Year) Award (November 2005), chosen as one of Florida Trend’s Most Influential (November 2004), named the 2002 “Businessman of the Year” (Orlando Business Journal, November 2002), and “Humanitarian of the Year” (Barry University College of Law, 2007). In August 2007, Governor Crist appointed Dick Batchelor to serve on the Governor’s Cabinet for Children and Youth.
With his wide range of contacts, connections and business involvement, Mr. Batchelor is available to assist the Firm’s clients who are seeking to purchase a business, commercial property, residential property or make an investment. He currently is on the Board of Directors for American Momentum Bank. He has identified and has working relationships with business brokers, commercial brokers, residential brokers and investment advisors, who he has personally screened and evaluated. Not only has Mr. Batchelor identified those who are skilled and talented enough to be among the top in their particular fields, but he has also selected those who additionally enjoy a stellar reputation for their business ethics and fair dealings. This is especially important for those within the immigrant community, who may not have the connections or established relationships in which to make the best choice otherwise.
Some of Mr. Batchelor’s noted accomplishments are:
| 1975: | As part of the United States Information Agency Program, Batchelor represented the U.S. in Poland and Romania |
| 1980: | As part of the United States Information Agency Program, Batchelor represented the U.S. in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala |
| 1991: | Appointed by the late Governor Lawton Chiles to chair the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC), of which he served as Chairman from 1991-1997. The ERC exercises the exclusive standard-setting authority of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. |
| 1994: | Batchelor received a Presidential Appointment to serve as member of the “ Presidential Delegation to Observe the Elections in South Africa,” meeting with President-Elect Mandela. |
| 1995: | Batchelor was appointed as a delegate to the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism which examined issues that will impact the future of travel and tourism in America. |
| 1997: | Served as U.S. representative at the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) General Conference in Paris. |
| 2000: | By Presidential appointment, Batchelor served as U.S. delegate at United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland (attended UNHRC again in April 2003). |
| 2001: | Batchelor was elected as a board co-chairman of the Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN), a national, multi-disciplinary organization, whose mission is to protect babies and children from environmental health hazards and promote a healthy environment. He continues to serve in that capacity. |
| 2001: | Batchelor was asked to serve as escort to a delegation on a U.S. mission to Viet Nam, joining a bipartisan delegation of seven elected and appointed leaders from around the country. |
| 2002: | Batchelor served as a delegate to United Nations Special Session on Children (UNICEF) |
| 2002: | Batchelor chaired the “Change 4 Kids,” campaign that successfully garnered support of a half-cent sales tax increase in Orange County (Florida) to generate funding for school construction and renovation. The ballot initiative passed on September 10, 2002 with almost a 60% favorable vote – the first time a tax initiative passed in Orange County after 6 previous unsuccessful attempts. This is one of the largest tax referendums for schools in the country at $2.7 billion. |
| 2003: | Awarded credentials by United Nations Association to observe the 59th Session of United Nations Human Rights commission in Geneva, Switzerland. |
| 2004-2005: | Appointed by City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty and the Orange County School Board Member of Orange County Blue Ribbon Panel on Education. |
| 2004-2005: | Co-Chairman, Orange County Domestic Violence/Child Abuse Commission. |
| 2005: | Through ACYPL, attended 3rd Annual Kennedy School of Government Leadership Seminar at JFK School of Government, Harvard University. |
| 2007: | Appointed by Governor Charlie Crist to the Governor’s Cabinet for Children and Youth. |
With his local, State and National contacts and associations, Dick Batchelor, is at the
service of the Firm’s client who is needing advice or seeking to make any investment, large or small.
