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 almost 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.

A Vietnam War veteran, Batchelor served in the Marine Corps (1966-68), where he learned to work together for a common goal. It has been his guiding principle ever since, most notably during his tenure in the Florida House of Representatives (1974-82). There, Batchelor was one of the youngest individuals ever elected. During his tenure, he quickly developed a reputation for strong leadership and consensus-building. He has received more than 50 awards for his legislative service.

After the Legislature, Batchelor continued to serve his community, especially on behalf of children. He helped secure funding for schools and protect women and children from abuse. Most notably, Batchelor served for more than three decades as honorary chair of the “Dick Batchelor Run for the Children,” an annual 5K that raised funds — more than $1.5 million — to treat abused children.

For his work supporting children, Batchelor has been honored by local and state organizations, including United Way of Florida. In 2021, the city of Orlando named him a Visionary Community Leader for his lifelong commitment to civil rights, education reform, child advocacy and public health.

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.

In 2021, Junior Achievement of Central Florida selected him as a Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame Laureate. On the state level, Leadership Florida presented Batchelor with its Distinguished Member Award in 2020 for his continued leadership, outside of his professional responsibilities.

Batchelor’s influence extends well beyond Florida as well. 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 and his wife, Orlando news media veteran Andrea Coudriet Batchelor, live in Orlando, where they raised their three sons. He holds degrees from Valencia Community College (now Valencia College) and the University of Central Florida. Batchelor continues to serve his community on boards that address some of today’s most pressing issues, from health care and drug addiction to race relations and affordable housing.