By “Doc” Doug Stauffer
Some moments in public service feel bigger than a title or an election. Watching Shalimar Mayor Mark Franks become President of the Florida League of Cities was one of those moments for me. It was not simply watching another municipal officer move into statewide leadership. It was watching one of our own—a man born and raised in Okaloosa County, shaped by this community and deeply invested in it—step forward to represent cities across Florida.
Mark was installed as the League’s 2026-27 president on August 15 during the Florida League of Cities Annual Conference at The Diplomat in Hollywood, Fla. The League represents Florida’s 411 cities, towns, and villages and has served as the unified voice of municipal government for more than a century.
Making the occasion all the more special was the man who administered the oath: State Representative Patt Maney. Patt did far more than swear Mark into office. He shared some personal stories about Mark as a young man, giving people from across Florida a glimpse of the person many of us in Northwest Florida have known for years. We all especially enjoyed that part. Titles can tell you what office a person holds; stories tell you something about the person who holds it. If you see Mayor Franks, ask him about the teenage video reenactment that once brought the SWAT team into the story. Apparently, they mistook Mark’s youthful production for the real Miami Vice.
Mark’s roots here run deep. He was born and raised in Okaloosa County, graduated from Fort Walton Beach High School in 1989, and has family ties to the area stretching back to the 1930s. His great-grandfather, James Hayes, was among the local businessmen who helped shape early Fort Walton Beach and built the landmark Goofy Golf in 1959.
Mark has served as Mayor of Shalimar since April 2019. Before reaching the top statewide post as president, he built his leadership experience close to home, including serving as president of the Northwest Florida League of Cities. He joined the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors in 2023 and was elected second vice president in 2024. That began a multi-year progression: first vice president for 2025-26 and now president for 2026-27.
That progression has involved real work, not simply waiting for the next title. As first vice president, Mark chaired the League’s Legislative Committee, helping review policy recommendations affecting municipalities throughout the state. The League’s work includes advocacy, education, training, and resources that help local officials better serve their communities.
What I appreciate about Mark is that he has never forgotten where he comes from. When he first won statewide office in the League in 2024, he spoke about bringing the perspective of smaller cities to the table. That matters. Shalimar may be a small town, but its size has never limited its influence. Good local government is built on service, relationships, and stewardship—and on leaders who remember the people they were elected to serve.
It was wonderful to celebrate this achievement with Mark. I was proud for Shalimar, proud for Okaloosa County and proud for Northwest Florida. Something was fitting about seeing a leader from one of our smaller communities entrusted with helping lead an organization representing municipalities throughout the free state of Florida.
Mark has also been quick to recognize the support of his wife, Luoma, throughout this journey. Those of us who serve in public life know that every elected official has loved ones behind the scenes who share the schedule, the travel, the late nights, and the responsibilities. Mark publicly thanked Luoma when his statewide leadership journey began in 2024 and thanked her again.
Congratulations, President Mark Franks. You have represented Shalimar and Northwest Florida well. Now you can carry that same hometown spirit across the entire state.
It was a privilege to be there and celebrate the moment with you and many of our other Northwest Florida elected officials.
