Stephen Marante is returning to his Broward County roots as the newest addition to The Southern Group’s growing South Florida operation.
The firm announced that Marante, a Parkland native with experience spanning the Florida Department of Commerce, SelectFlorida and the Office of Insurance Regulation, has joined its Broward office, where he will represent clients before state and local governments on issues including land use, transportation, infrastructure, insurance and economic development.
Marante most recently served as Director of Legislative and Cabinet Affairs for the Florida Department of Commerce and SelectFlorida, overseeing legislative strategy and helping coordinate policy priorities tied to workforce development, business recruitment, international trade and community planning.
Before that, he worked at the Office of Insurance Regulation under former Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier, now a Southern Group partner, during a period marked by ongoing challenges in Florida’s property insurance market.
“Stephen’s policy expertise and strong Broward ties make him an ideal fit for our team,” Broward Managing Partner Nick Matthews said. “He will be a valuable resource for our clients.”
Marante’s interest in public policy traces back to his time as a Broward County student leader. Following the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in his hometown, he participated in school safety discussions and served as the lone student member of a state task force examining school safety recommendations.
He later interned in the House and worked as a Senate legislative assistant before joining the Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program under Gov. Ron DeSantis.
“Stephen has that rare blend of personal engagement, with a tremendous work ethic and professionalism that is not always present in this process. I look forward to working with him in his new role at The Southern Group to continue to build a better economy in Florida,” said Rep. Chip LaMarca
Incoming House Democratic Leader Christine Hunschofsky added, “He is very well respected in the legislative process from his time working at the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Department of Commerce. Stephen is a hard worker who is knowledgeable, resourceful, and very service oriented.”
