Dr. Thomas DeRita, Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer of Resource Group N.A. Under his leadership, RGNA has emerged as one of Florida’s premiere government relations firms. For more than forty years, he has advised and represented numerous individuals, corporations and non-profits in public affairs, political fundraising and business development. He has raised several millions of dollars for various local, state and federal candidates including presidents, congressmen, governors and senators.
Prior to founding Resource Group N.A. in 1999, DeRita served as the Congressional Liaison for the American International Automobile Dealers Association. In addition, he held various executive positions with Hoffman LaRoche.
For more than thirty years, DeRita held executive management positions and ownership interest with various automobile companies. During his years in the automobile industry, DeRita received numerous awards and honors for his outstanding achievements. In 1997, he was awarded AIADA’s highest honor of Import Dealer of the year and also received the Legislator of the Year award. In 2002, he was appointed by Commissioner Charles Bronson to serve on the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services’ Motor Vehicle Repair Advisory Council.
While Dr. DeRita advises clients on his business dealings, he specializes in dealing with sheriffs throughout Florida and the Southeast. He has been in a partnership with Mr. Joseph Summerill, Esq., of the Summerill Group, the former chief contracts attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, who has established working relationships throughout the country dealing with the U.S. Marshall Service and Homeland Security’s Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In 2008, in honor of his experience and accomplishments, Dr. DeRita was appointed to the Judicial Nominating Committee for the 15th Circuit Court by Governor Charlie Crist.