Howard Kessler, MD

Howard Kessler has lived in Florida for over 36 years. He spent his childhood and teen years in and around the marshlands of the south shore of Long Island in the state of New York. He holds a B. S. degree in chemistry, an M.A. degree in Education, and an M.D. degree. He practiced orthopedic surgery for over 40 years as a board-certified orthopedist and was Chief of Orthopedics at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.  He has conducted volunteer clinics in Tallahassee for the needy. He served on the National Association of Counties Environmental, Energy, and Land Use Steering Committee. At the State level, he served on The Florida Association of Counties Growth and Environmental Steering Committee and the Health and Human Resources Committee. Locally, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Capital Region Planning Transportation Agency, Chairman of the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners (serving as a Wakulla County Commissioner for 12 years), and Chairman of the Board of the Wilderness Coast Public Libraries. In 2024 he served on the Charter Review Committee for the City of Tallahassee. He and his wife, Anne Van Meter, became involved in Wakulla County politics after witnessing the destruction of local wetlands. They are also very involved in many of the area’s clubs and organizations and have interests in running (now walking), biking (now walking), and gardening. He is a member of the Patrons Board of the School of Theater at FSU.