Whitford Remer

Biography

Whit works at the intersection of sustainability and resilience, helping shape and advance policy focused on environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and thoughtful community development.

As the City of Tampa’s first Sustainability & Resilience Officer, Whit is advancing Mayor Jane Castor’s commitment to 100% renewable energy and building a more resilient and equitable  city. In partnership with international resilience experts and  community partners, Whit led creation of the Resilient Tampa roadmap - an extensive process identifying Tampa’s shocks, stresses, and resilience opportunities. In coordination with frontline communities, Whit is  currently facilitating development of the Tampa Climate Action & Equity Plan.

Prior to joining the City of Tampa, Whit was Counsel and Director of Public Policy for the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), an insurance-backed research organization focused on building safety and community resilience. At IBHS, Whit managed internal legal issues, regulatory policy, and risk strategy for the FORTIFIED Home™ program - a code plus construction standard designed to reduce damage from hazards.

Whit also held roles for the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as a lobbyist and lead author of the American Infrastructure Report Card - the national benchmark assessing the quality and funding of infrastructure systems such as water supply, transit, and green space. While at ASCE, Whit provided technical expertise to the $1 billion Superstorm Sandy National Disaster Resilience Competition and is credited with helping to pass two major water resources focused laws.

Following the 2010 BP oil spill, Whit worked for Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in Washington, D.C., helping shepherd through Congress the RESTORE Act - legislation designed to assist Gulf Coast communities with environmental and economic  restoration.

 Whit holds a law degree from Loyola University of New Orleans, a Master of Urban and Regional Planning degree from the University of New Orleans, and a bachelor’s degree in geography and political science from Florida State University. 

Whit is a member of the Florida Bar, the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), an ENVISON Sustainability Professional, and Courtesy Faculty for the Patel College of Global Sustainability at the University of South Florida. Whit recently served as President of Walk Bike Tampa, a non-profit organization focused on pedestrian and bike safety. Whit lives in Tampa, Florida