TALLAHASSEE, FL, September 25, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Pamela Burch Fort has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Fort was born in Panama City, Bay County, Florida and has established a distinguished career marked by leadership, advocacy and a commitment to public service.

Since 1995, Ms. Fort has served as founder, president and strategic counselor of The Commerce Group in Tallahassee, Florida. During her many years in practice as the sole owner and longest-serving Black female owner of a lobbying firm in the state, she has represented some of Florida's largest corporations, industries, and local governments. In addition to her current representation of a diverse array of nonpartisan entities focused on civil rights, civil liberties and safeguarding democracy including ACLU FL, Common Cause FL, FL NAACP, Florida Rising, PEN America FL, The Florida Bar and several personal injury law firms, Ms. Fort has managed and consulted with many political candidates and campaigns over several decades. She also manages the web portal FortReport.com. Her work at The Commerce Group is characterized by her dedication to diversifying her expertise and engaging with organizations that champion social justice and equity. Through this role, she has become a prominent figure in Florida's political landscape, providing strategic counsel to clients and advocating for policies that advance the public good.

Before establishing her own firm, Ms. Fort dedicated 16 years to the Florida Legislature, beginning her tenure in 1979 as a floating analyst in the President's Office. Throughout her legislative career, she collaborated with numerous committees and became one of the few individuals to have served on practically every Senate committee staff. This breadth of experience afforded her a comprehensive understanding of legislative processes and policy development. In the early 1980s, during a period when Florida faced a significant banking crisis, Ms. Fort was assigned to address critical issues within the Senate Commerce Committee—the largest committee with substantive jurisdiction over matters such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco, banking and insurance, pari-mutuel issues and judicial concerns. Her expertise and leadership led to her appointment as staff director of the committee, making her only the second minority to hold such a position. She served as staff director for 12 years until 1995. As staff director, she managed committee staff research and information for numerous state agencies, including the Department of Banking and Finance, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Labor and Employment Security, Department of Business and Professional Regulation and the Department of the Lottery.

Among Ms. Fort's most notable achievements is her pivotal role in drafting landmark legislation in the early 1990s that enabled Florida to become the first state to enact laws targeting Big Tobacco for its impact on taxpayers and smokers. This groundbreaking legislation resulted in a $17 billion settlement with major tobacco companies, a historic victory that marked the first time Big Tobacco had lost a legal case anywhere in the world. The settlement continues to benefit Floridians today, with an annual $425 million contribution to Florida's budget supporting Medicaid programs across the state.

Her academic background laid a strong foundation for her career in law and public policy. Ms. Fort earned a Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law in 1977, following completion of a Bachelor of Science in political science and government at Florida State University in 1975. Her upbringing profoundly influenced her educational pursuits, as she came from an activist family where education was highly valued. Both parents were educators. Her father served as vice president at Gulf Coast Community College after beginning his higher education career as dean at a community college that primarily served Black students.

Meanwhile, her mother was the first Black guidance counselor at Bay County High School, before advancing to work within the district's school administration system. Inspired by their dedication to community service and social justice, Ms. Fort developed an early interest in politics and advocacy.

Throughout her career, Ms. Fort has emphasized the importance of understanding constituent needs above personal ambition. She attributes her success to unwavering commitment, focus on core mission objectives and dedication to mentoring young women entering public service.

Ms. Fort's contributions have been recognized through several prestigious honors, including being named among the Top 100 Florida Women in Politics by News Service of Florida in 2023, receiving the Carrie P. Meek Award from the Florida Legislative Black Caucus in 2022, earning the Alumni Service Award from Florida State University College of Law in 2021, accepting the Service Appreciation Award from New Leaders Council Tallahassee in 2017, and the Small Business Service Award from Florida A & M University in 2003.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Ms. Fort is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.

In her personal life, Ms. Fort is devoted to her family, which includes her spouse, two adult children and three grandchildren. Looking ahead, she aims to continue mentoring future leaders so they may carry forward her legacy, instilling in them an understanding of others' needs and fostering practical communication skills. For Ms. Fort, building genuine human connections remains central to both her work and life philosophy.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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