Sean Hess is running for the St. Augustine-St. Johns County Airport Authority Board, Group 3, in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race also includes Christopher Cannan and Sean Griswold.

Asked why he is running, Hess said in our candidate questionnaire, "I'm running for our kids, your grandkids, and hopefully my future grandkids. St. Johns County gives our kids a great education, but when they're ready to start their careers, lots of kids find that the jobs that would let them come home and build their lives here just aren't here."

Hess said he coached youth soccer for about 13 years and that many of his former players are now looking to Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta and elsewhere for career opportunities. "I believe our airport can help change that," he said. "I'm running because I want to help existing airport businesses grow, attract new investment and career-track jobs, and make the airport a stronger engine for economic opportunity—so our kids have the choice to come home, stay here, and build their future here."

Candidate information

Party affiliation: "NPA (nonpartisan race)," Hess said in our questionnaire.

Education: "BA in Journalism, The Ohio State University (1992); MBA, University of Utah (2020), Valedictorian; Certificate in Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Florida College of Medicine (2023)," Hess said.

Family: "I am married with two children, both of whom grew up here in St. Johns County and attended our public schools (St. Augustine and Pedro Menendez). I moved to St. Augustine in 1994, and my wife and I have raised our family here," Hess said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Asked about his work history, Hess said in our questionnaire, "I am a business leader and communications professional with 30+ years of experience in business management, sales, real estate, client services, and scientific and medical communications. I've owned and operated businesses and led teams ranging from five people to more than 100."

He added, "Most recently, I worked with the University of Florida College of Medicine, managing major grant efforts and helping teams secure approximately $15 million for cancer research and related programs in Gainesville and Jacksonville."

Asked about previous public office, Hess said, "I have not previously held elected or appointed public office. I served for two years on the Board of Directors of the St. Augustine/St. Johns County Board of Realtors and on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Johns County, including two years as board chair."

On the issues

Asked what distinguishes his candidacy, Hess said in our questionnaire, "I see the airport not only as a transportation facility, but as one of our community's best opportunities to create high-quality, career-track jobs." He said he wants to put his experience "to work helping existing airport businesses grow, attracting new aerospace and aviation investment, and pursuing opportunities to restore commercial air service—all while ensuring the airport is managed responsibly, transparently, and with strong support for general aviation."

Asked about the best advice he ever received, Hess quoted Miles Hansen, then CEO of World Trade Center Utah: "Leaders can create anxiety, or they can create calm. Which are you going to be?" Hess said Hansen shared that during the uncertainty of COVID. "Leadership isn't just about making decisions; it's also about how you respond when things are difficult, uncertain, or don't go according to plan," Hess said.

The race is nonpartisan. The election is Nov. 3, 2026.