Panama City businessman and former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives Allan Bense has been elected to the Gulf Power Company board of directors.

“Allan brings a wealth of business experience and strong leadership to our organization and we look forward to his service on our board of directors,” Susan Story, Gulf Power president and CEO said. “He is a proven, positive consensus builder who understands how to lead successful organizations and we believe he will be a valuable asset to our team.”

Bense — a partner in several companies involved in road building, mechanical contracting, insurance, general contracting, golf courses and farming — represented the Bay County area in the Florida House of Representatives beginning in 1998 and served as Speaker of the House from 2004–2006. A graduate of Florida State University, Bense is also Vice Chair of Enterprise Florida, the economic development agency for the state.

A Panama City native, Bense serves as chairman of the board of the James Madison Institute, the HCA Gulf Coast Medical Center, the Florida Council on Military Base and Mission Support, and the Republican Party of Florida Victory Committee. He serves as board member of the Florida Council of 100, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Bay County Economic Development Alliance.   

He has also served in a leadership role in many community organizations including Junior Achievement, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, United Way and St. Andrews Methodist Church. 

Bense and his wife Tonie Johnson Bense were married in 1975 and they have three grown children — Courtney, Jason and Taylor.