Mark P. Hudson, AICP | Executive Planner | Tenure: 33 years
Mark graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) in 1984. While at USF, Mark had an internship with the Planning Commission and worked on the original planning study for the Hillsborough River. After graduation, he began his professional career with the Tampa Port Authority, as part of their Environmental Affairs Department.
Based on the positive experience he had during his college internship, Mark applied to and was hired by the Planning Commission in 1987. His initial role was being part of the team that developed each of the local jurisdiction’s comprehensive plans, as required by the Florida Growth Management Act of 1985. Since that time, Mark has held a wide variety of roles and responsibilities with the agency, including stints where he focused his efforts on land use, environmental and transportation planning. In particular, for over a decade he was a member of our staff that serves the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Mark led many planning efforts during this period, including being the primary staff support for the Transportation Disadvantaged Coordinating Board (TDCB).
In 2002, Mark was entrusted as the agency’s liaison to the City of Plant City. A couple of his major accomplishments in this role were to co-manage the development of the Northeast Plant City Area Master Plan, as well as overseeing the latest update of the Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2016. From 2011 to 2017, through an innovative interlocal agreement, he held the dual roles of Executive Planner for the Planning Commission and Director of Plant City’s Planning and Zoning Division. In 2017, this interlocal agreement was allowed to expire, so Mark could take on the added responsibility of being the agency’s liaison to the City of Temple Terrace. He continues to serve in this same role for the City of Plant City.
Mark’s mother was British and is very close to his family in England. He visits there whenever he has the opportunity with his wife Ellen. He is looking forward to becoming more active as a community volunteer in his hometown of Plant City, once he retires in early 2023.
