Mike Tolbert is a self-employed strategic planning and communications consultant in Jacksonville, who represents corporate and political clients. He has worked with Mayors Jake Godbold, Hanz Tansler, Ed Austin, Congresswoman Tillie Fowler and Florida State Senator Betty Holzendorf. Tolbert helped produce the first five Jacksonville Jazz Festivals and introduced the Great American Jazz Piano Competition to the Festival. He played a key role in the agreement that led to the national and international telecast of the Festival on PBS for several years. Tolbert now lives on his horse farm in Brooksville, Florida. In 1999, Mike Tolbert was inducted into the Jacksonville Jazz Festival Hall of Fame for his role in the creation of an incomparable service to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival.
