Herschel T. Vinyard, Jr. is of counsel and an environmental lawyer for Foley & Lardner LLP. Mr. Vinyard has 25 years of environmental law, business and government experience, and counsels clients in industries, including manufacturing, real estate and construction on a range of economic development, land use, environmental and other regulatory matters. He also provides traditional public affairs counsel to assist clients with navigating the legislative, regulatory and political landscape in Florida. He is a member of the firm’s Environmental Regulation and Government & Public Policy Practices.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Vinyard completed a four-year term as secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) during Florida Governor Rick Scott’s first term. He was involved in the regulation of nearly all aspects of development in the State of Florida, including environmental permitting, water rights and real estate development. During his time as secretary of Florida’s DEP, Mr. Vinyard ended a two-decade-long legal dispute over restoration of the Everglades, established a nutrient reduction program for waterways and worked to protect the state’s natural springs. He also continued to increase access to Florida’s state parks and, under his leadership, the Florida Park Service won a National Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Park Association, designating his park system as the best in the nation.

Prior to serving the State of Florida, Mr. Vinyard was engaged in marine manufacturing as the director of business operations at the Southeast Shipyards division of BAE Systems, one of the world’s largest defense contractors, where he was responsible for strategic planning, business development, and regulatory and government affairs.