Jessica Furst Johnson     

Class of 1999 graduate Jessica Furst Johnson has a front-row seat to the politicsof Washington D.C.  Jessica is a partner at Holtzman Vogel Josefiak Torchinsky PLLC, where she specializes in political committees, campaign finance, and election law, lobbying and ethics compliance, and tax-exempt organizations.

     After graduating from Riverview, Jessica earned undergraduate degrees in

journalism and political science at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She later received her J.D. from the University of Florida's Levin College of Law.

     Her involvement in politics began in Sarasota, where Jessica served as

Communications Director for Congresswoman Katherine Harris' campaigns in

2002 and 2004. Jessica later worked as an associate in a Washington D.C. law

firm where she advised candidates, members of Congress, and other elected

officials. In 2010, Jessica began her work as General Counsel to the National Republican Congressional Committee. During her years in that position, she advised Republicans in Congress on matters related to Federal campaign finance law, House ethics rules, and created and managed the Volunteer Attorney Network, which trained attorneys for Election Day operations and post-election activity. In 2016, the NRCC chose Jessica as the group's Independent Expenditure Director where she managed the NRCC's paid efforts in more than 30 races. The 2018 Senatorial recount in Florida brought Jessica back to her home state as General Counsel to the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Jessica

oversaw the legal efforts during the recount of Senator Rick Scott's eventual win.

     She is now considered one of the leading election law attorneys in the country and currently serves as General Counsel to the Republican Governors

Association.

     Jessica lives in Virginia with her husband and son. You may spot her on national television where she has contributed to election law-related segments for NBCand Fox.

Steven Derose

     Steven DeRose is a 1999 graduate of Riverview High and he was very busy during his time here! He was President of the Student Council his junior year and Vice President his senior year. Steven also was Captain of the Debate Team his junior and senior year, chaired the homecoming parade for two years, and convinced Scott Paint to donate paint so the student council could paint the hallways of the old Riverview campus.

     At the University of Florida, Steven found new ways to make a difference. For 3 years, he chaired a dance marathon that benefitted Shands Children's Hospital. It was the largest student-run philanthropic program in the southeast. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in both Economics and Business Management and a Master's in Finance. In 2014, UF honored DeRose with an Outstanding Young Alumni Award for 40 Gators Under 40.

     Professionally, Steven is a Managing Director at Starwood Property Trust in

Charlotte, North Carolina. Starwood is the nation's largest commercial mortgage REIT. Before joining Starwood, he was a Director at Wells Fargo Securities, the youngest Director in the firm's investment bank. He excelled in loans and equity investments related to commercial real estate properties across the country.

     He now shares his expertise with University of Florida students as a guest lecturer and student mentor, while bringing some of Wall Street's largest

investment banks to recruit graduates in Gainesville. DeRose also keeps close ties to Riverview High, never hesitating to offer a helping hand.