What is a Lakelander?

Born in Lakeland | Has lived in Lakeland for 30 + years | Manages day-to-day operations at Union Hall

“I remember driving down 540A when it was two lanes and nothing but orange groves on the other side. There was no Valleyview (Elementary School), there was no Jenkins, there were no communities,” he says. 

Nearly three decades later, his daughter Chelsea is a junior at George Jenkins High, just minutes from their home.  

Jeff, 47, said he’s never really thought specifically about the characteristics of a Lakelander, but he describes Lakeland as “a big town with a small town feel” where people have access to everything they want, but without some of the challenges of a metropolitan area.

He remarked that it’s common for Lakelanders who grow up here to leave for a while and then eventually find their way back, often because their families and social networks are still here and it’s a safe place to raise a family.

He settled back into Lakeland, but he still commuted for work. 

Last year, he knew he was ready for a major change, and a long-time Lakelander Sam Houghton, attorney at Houghton, P.A. and owner of Union Hall and Lean Spaces, ran an idea by him.

“I came to Sam to open up my own businesses…and then he kind of talked with me about running Union,” Jeff says. 

He has had success creating a space for business networking gatherings of city entrepreneurs and influencers, and many Friday and Saturdays are booked with weddings and parties.

Jeff said he has enjoyed running into some old high school classmates on occasion in his new role, and he is glad to be part of a downtown scene that has been built and cultivated by familiar names and faces from his childhood.