Michael C. Wiggins (born September 1945) is an American businessman and politician who served as the 61st mayor of Pensacola from 2009 to 2011.
Mike Wiggins | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Wiggins in 2009 | |
| 61st Mayor of Pensacola | |
| In office January 12, 2009 – January 11, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | John R. Fogg |
| Succeeded by | Ashton Hayward |
| Member of the Pensacola City Council from At-large district 9 | |
| In office 2001–2009 | |
| Preceded by | Redistricted |
| Succeeded by | Megan Pratt |
| Member of the Pensacola City Council from At-large district C | |
| In office 1994–2001 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Banjanin |
| Succeeded by | Redistricted |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 1945 (age 79) Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Pensacola Junior College Florida State University |
| Website | Campaign website |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
Wiggins served in the United States Navy, becoming a Lieutenant, before serving on the Pensacola City Council from 1994 to 2009. As mayor, Wiggins oversaw the creation of the Community Maritime Park, a new council–manager charter, and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.
Early life and education
editMichael C. Wiggins was born in September 1945 in Pensacola, Florida. He attended Pensacola Junior College before obtaining a degree in finance from Florida State University.[1]
Career
editAfter graduating from Florida State University, Wiggins served in the United States Navy as an officer for four years, eventually reaching the rank of Lieutenant.
In 1994, Wiggins was elected to Pensacola City Council At-large district C, to fill the seat after Tom Banjanin was elected to the Escambia County board of Commissioners.[2] In 2001, after City Council redistricting, Wiggins was elected to At-large district 9, where he served until 2009, and was succeeded by Megan Pratt.[3]
In 2008, Wiggins was elected as the 61st mayor of Pensacola, defeating candidates Christopher J. Lewis and Eric Schmitz.[4] He was sworn in on January 12, 2009. During his time as mayor, Wiggins oversaw the creation of the Community Maritime Park, a new mayor–council charter, although he opposed it, and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, which he meet with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, separately, in 2010. Wiggins served until 2011, when he was defeated for re-election by Ashton Hayward. Hayward was sworn in on January 10, 2011.[5][6]
Wiggins has served on the board of governors of Pensacola State College, board of directors of the Pensacola Museum of Art, board of directors of Clean and Green, board of the Greater Escambia Community foundation, board of the Tourism Advisory committee, chair of the Pensacola State College foundation, Five Flags Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce.[1][7]
Wiggins owned the lawn care business Wiggins Lawn Spray Service, which he sold to the Pensacola-based Lawn care company Lawn Master, Inc. on January 1, 2015.[8][9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b stercusaccidit.org. "City of Pensacola Mayor (Nonpartisan Office) Candidate Biography and Questionnaire" (PDF). Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ "Pensacola News Journal 23 Nov 1994, page 16". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ "Pensacola News Journal 12 Jun 2001, page 23". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ "Pensacola News Journal 05 Nov 2008, page 4". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ "Pensacola News Journal 13 Jan 2009, page 11". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ "Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward Sworn In". Impact Campaigns. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ "Mike Wiggins, Chair". Pensacola State College Foundation. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ wuwf.org Pensacola Mayors: Mike Wiggins 2021-7-28 Retrieved 2022-11-23
- ^ Institute, Studer Community. "Studer Community Institute". Retrieved 2022-11-23.