Leadership

Deno is the North Florida Managing Partner of Converge Public Strategies of North Florida. With more than 22 years of experience providing government affairs and business development support services throughout Florida, he has built his reputation on successful results through thoughtful understanding of his clients’ needs, alignment of goals and objectives, and advocating firmly with sound strategy. Deno
has successfully represented a variety of industries, including real estate, technology, the energy sector, health care, maritime, outdoor advertising, transportation, telecommunications, and water utilities, and has worked on local/state incentives and procurement support. Privately, Deno has operated as both a real estate investor and in project development, where he actively engages in identification and acquisition of real estate opportunities, securing land entitlements, and assisting in obtaining financing where government approvals are necessary for the multifamily, industrial, and commercial land use and asset bases. 

A Jacksonville native, Deno began his career in the engineering and consulting industry but has consistently directed his attention toward public policy. Locally, Deno has served on the Mayor’s
Transition Team, Major Issues Committee for the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update, Sheriff’s Community Engagement Task Force, Planning Commission for the City of Jacksonville, the
Zoning Code Re-Write Committee for the City of Jacksonville, and on the City’s Charter Revision Commission.

Deno is a graduate of the University of Florida, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy, and later served as chairman of his College’s Professional Advisory Council. He lives in Jacksonville with his wife, Lee-Catherine Bateh Hicks, and their three children.