In 1995 Phil and his wife Mary bought their first Florida Keys home in Summerland Key. The Shannon’s have used their blessings to retain the extraordinary spiritual, physical and cultural heritage of the beautiful Florida Keys. He supplied 1300 Foxtail Palm trees following Hurricane George’s destruction to the area, donated two mega coral aquatic tanks to Mote Marine in the Eco Discovery Center and donated PC’s to the Key West Catholic Elementary School. It was because of these actions that the title of “Honorary Conchs” were bestowed upon them by former Mayor Harvey.

Additionally, he is a firm believer in “civic responsibility.” He fully funded the successful opposition to the 2000 Village of Lower Keys [from Little Torch to Cudjoe Key] Incorporation election. Many Marathon & Islamorada residents now wish they had voted against their incorporation. He also fully funded the successful May ’07 Islamorada election which incorporated a 35’ Building Height Restriction into the Islamorada Charter. To confirm Florida Keys residents attitude about the Area of Critical Concern Designation, he commissioned the nationally recognized Lake Research organization to conduct a scientific Florida Keys poll which established that 82% of likely Republican, Democratic and Independent voters are OPPOSED to RESCINDING the Florida Keys Area of Critical Concern Designation.

He firmly believes that the quality of life in our community is being compromised, our neighbors are being forced out of their homes and developers are actively trying to rescind protections that are the cornerstone of our Keys. Please join Phil and our Citizens Not Serfs' members to save the Keys.

John was born and raised in the seaside community of Atlantic Beach, FL. In May, he graduated from the University of Florida's Levin College of Law. While attending law school, John worked for a statewide land trust called the Conservation Trust for Florida. In addition, he was the treasurer of the Animal Law Association and was President of SolarCity Gainsville (a renewable energy student group). Before attending law school, John graduated from the University of Florida Magna Cumm Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an Environmental Studies minor. He wrote an honors thesis approved for high honors titled "Altruism Within Nonprofit Organizations." John is also co-founder of the Marsh Preservation Society and was the Developmental Coordinator for the Public Trust Environmental Law Institute of Florida. John enjoys kayaking/boating throughout Florida and is a bird enthusiast.

John can be reached atthe Citizens Not Serfs office or via email at john@citizensnotserfs.com