Dane Bennett

Dane Bennett joined Baptist Health in 2022 and was recently promoted to Vice President of Government Relations. In this role, Bennett is responsible for leading local, state and federal affairs for the health system. He has successfully advocated for enhanced Medicaid reimbursement for Wolfson Children’s Hospital; an appropriation for a new pediatric behavioral health unit; extending Baptist Medical Center Nassau’s rural hospital designation; instituting a Collaborative Care Model for Behavioral Health in Florida’s Medicaid program, and many other initiatives.

Prior to joining Baptist Health, Bennett was the director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Home Builders Association where he represented more than 8,000 builder and associate members before the Florida Legislature and Executive Branch. He began his career as a legislative aide to Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto.

Bennett served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps as part of the 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion. Bennett’s time in the Marine Corps included leading a unit deployment to the Indo-Pacific in support of the 4th Marine Regiment.

Bennett was named to Influence Magazine’s Rising Stars’ Class of 2022 and is a member of Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2024. He serves on the Jax Chamber Government Affairs Committee and the Chairman’s Club of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. A two-time Seminole, Bennett received his Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Florida State University.