Building Bridges in Toxic Political Times

With 50 years of public service experience, including as one of the youngest individuals ever to serve in the Florida House of Representatives and two presidential appointments to high-level delegations, Dick Batchelor is a sought-after strategist.

In his new book, Building Bridges in Toxic Political Times: A Road Map for Community Leaders, Batchelor delivers a positive message of unity in our increasingly divisive and angry times and offers proven strategies for reaching consensus—whether at home, around the boardroom table, or in the political arena. Through real-life examples, he shows how to address difficult conversations, move toward meaningful compromise, and achieve lasting solutions, challenging us all to change the conversation and become bridge-builders ourselves.

With proven strategies, Building Bridges in Toxic Political Times can help anyone on opposite sides of an issue navigate common ground and solve real problems. Batchelor not only identifies public policy challenges but provides a tool kit for those who wish to set aside political differences and focus on an issue at hand, whether at the state or local level. Building Bridges in Toxic Political Times helps readers develop strategies to sufficiently address any issue including human trafficking, child abuse, domestic violence, the opioid /fentanyl crisis, homelessness, DEI, disparities in education, and environmental sustainability.

ABOUT DICK BATCHELOR:

Dick J. Batchelor is a former member of the Florida House of Representatives and president of one of the most respected and influential business development consulting firms in Florida. Batchelor, who has consistently been recognized as among the “most powerful people” in Orlando, brings 50 years of public service to the table, including two presidential appointments to high-level delegations. His intimate knowledge of the political landscape and unwavering commitment to community make him a sought-after strategist.

As president of the Dick Batchelor Management Group Inc., an Orlando-based consulting firm that specializes in business development, strategic governmental affairs, and public policy issues, Batchelor is focused on delivering results for his clients. In 2018, Florida Trend magazine named him one of the 500 most influential business leaders in Florida, and in 2019 he was recognized as one of the “Living Legends” in the publication’s 500 Most Influential Business Leaders issue.

The Central Florida business community and the area’s media have also recognized Batchelor’s contributions. He has been named one of “The 50 Most Powerful People” by Orlando Magazine (2004 to 2018), the 2002 “Central Floridian of the Year” by The Orlando Sentinel, the 2002 “Businessman of the Year” by Orlando Business Journal, and the 2008 and 2009 “Best Corporate Citizen” by Orlando Magazine.

Batchelor’s influence extends well beyond Florida. In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed him to the U.S. delegation observing the historic election in South Africa that brought Nelson Mandela to power. Batchelor met with Mandela, whose rise to the presidency heralded a new post-apartheid era for the country. Later, President Clinton appointed Batchelor to serve on the United Nations Human Rights Commission (Geneva, Switzerland) and as a representative to UNESCO (Paris). Batchelor is also a member of the National Advisory Board for Human Rights First and serves on the United States Global Leadership Coalition Florida Advisory Board.

Batchelor is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam. He and his wife, Orlando news media veteran Andrea Coudriet Batchelor, live in Orlando, where they raised their three sons.