Kate Wallace

About Kate Wallace

Kate Wallace is a government relations and public policy advocacy professional who is passionate about expanding access to high-quality broadband and education for all. Presently, she supports expanding access to high-speed broadband internet for thousands of Floridians as a member of the Florida government affairs team at Charter Communications (Spectrum). She was also appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to serve as a Polk County School Board Member for District 3 in November of 2025, with her term expiring in November of 2026. Prior to joining Charter, Kate was the director of public affairs for Florida Internet & Television (FIT), Florida\'s cable industry trade association. Additionally, Kate championed a quality education for all through her roles with the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) and as the founding executive director of Lakeland Leads, a nonprofit whose mission focused on increasing access to a high-quality education for Lakeland students and families. With ExcelinEd, Kate advanced student-centered statewide K-12 education reform policies in multiple southeastern states, primarily in the realms of school choice, early literacy, and accelerated college readiness. At Lakeland Leads, she helped Lakeland attract a world class charter school (IDEA), which now serves more than 700 first generation college-bound students. A Bartow, Florida native, Kate earned a B.S. in Public Relations from the University of Florida, where she was active in student government, Greek life, and the College of Journalism and Communications. As a student, she also interned for then-U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam and for the Vice President’s Office of Domestic Policy at the White House. After college, she held positions in DC with Walmart Stores, Inc, an Arizona-based lobbying firm, and with the office of a Texas Congressman. Upon returning to Florida, Kate served as legislative coordinator with The Fiorentino Group in Jacksonville before joining ExcelinEd.Kate has been active in local, statewide and national civic organizations all her adult life, including the Junior Leagues of Florida, Leadership Florida, multiple Gator Clubs, United Way of Central Florida, the Gator Bowl Sports Committee, American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Leadership Network, and numerous Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Councils across Florida. She also serves on the FL Fiduciary Board of IDEA Public Schools. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, traveling, spending time with family and friends, attending church, and cheering on the Florida Gators.

Experience

1. Director, State Government Affairs

   Charter Communications

   Jan 2022 — Present · Central Florida, FL, US

   Helps Florida Government Affairs team and contract lobbyists to develop, build, and manage relationships with public officials and other influential policy makers at the federal, state and local levels on behalf of Charter and its brand of cable, internet and phone services known as Spectrum across its Florida footprint• Monitors Florida city and county government business on behalf of Charter’s business priorities • Represents the company at community events, industry conferences, civic organization boards, county Local Technology Planning Team meetings, and other external functions, including fielding speaking engagements• Helps identify government-related business opportunities and assists Charter in developing responses for government procurement, particularly in leveraging federal funds for rural broadband grants • Works with colleagues in multiple departmental silos to support Charter business priorities • Coordinates with Spectrum News 13 (Orlando)/Bay News 9 (Tampa) to invite and secure Florida elected officials and thought leaders to discuss relevant current issues on its weekly no. 1-rated Sunday morning public affairs show, In Focus Florida

Education

• University of Florida

  Bachelor of Science, Public Relations

  2003 — 2007

• International Baccalaureate School at Bartow Sr. High School

  High School Diploma

  1999 — 2003

Skills

• Strategic Communications
• Strategy
• Research
• Blogging
• Grassroots Organizing
• Non-Profits
• Speech Writing
• Media Relations
• Public Speaking
• Facebook
• Nonprofits
• Policy
• Grassroots
• Legislation
• Event Planning