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Representative for eight years. He served as Chair of the ACTIVE IN COMMISSIONING OF
Broward Legislative Delegation in 2007 and 2008. He was THE USS FORT LAUDERDALE
then elected Mayor of Fort Lauderdale from 2009 to 2018.
Both elected positions came to an end due to term limits. He spent much of 2022 collaborating with Patricia
DuMont and the team of community leaders supporting the
A LONG FAMILY HISTORY IN Commissioning of the USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), the
FLORIDA newest U.S. Navy ship and the first named for the City of
Fort Lauderdale. It is the twelfth in a line of San Antonio-class
Seiler and his wife, Susan, come from multi-generational amphibious transport dock ships and has its home port in
Florida families. Susan’s ancestors first moved to Central Norfolk, Virgina.
Florida in the 1840s. They have four children: Marianna,
Jacqueline, Preston and Susanne. Seiler is most pleased Seiler served as Vice President of the local Commissioning
that all of them returned to the region after college and they Committee and in charge of fundraising for the July 30,
continue to live and work in South Florida, although he’s 2022 Commissioning Ceremony at Broward County’s
content that they lead independent lives. Port Everglades. Monies raised helped to underwrite
Commissioning costs and supported educational and other
“We want to be a city that you never want to leave,” says benefits for Navy sailors assigned to the ship.
Seiler. “All four of my children moved back to Broward to
work in South Florida and to live in South Florida,” he says. The U.S. Navy announced plans for the USS Fort Lauderdale
while Seiler was Mayor, and he was pleased to lend his
Being an empty-nester doesn’t mean Seiler is slowing down. support to community efforts to name a ship for the City.
He spends much of his professional time in South Florida
courtrooms interacting with judges, clients and juries. Seiler is most proud of its potential to positively impact Fort
Lauderdale. Although there is no official connection, he sees
The list of Seiler’s community service activities is head- the new ship as a sort of ocean-going global representative
spinning. When he’s not working on behalf of his legal clients of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. He
and the law firm, he’s focused on the success of the Orange believes the USS Fort Lauderdale is a world-traveling reminder
Bowl and the Orange Bowl Committee, plus dozens of of the growth and prominence of the City that Seiler is so
nonprofit and community service organizations.
proud to call home.

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