Mayor Allan Brach, City of Panama City Mayor Allan Branch, City of Panama City

Mayor Allan Branch serves on the SASJBEP Policy Board with a deep appreciation for the bays that helped shape his childhood. Growing up along St. Andrew Bay, he spent countless hours sailing, scalloping, fishing, and exploring the water with family and friends. It wasn’t until he left for college that he fully realized how much the bay meant to him. Today, returning to his childhood home along the Bay remains a way to reconnect and recharge and reinforces his commitment to protecting one of the community’s most defining natural resources.

For Mayor Branch, the health of the watershed and bays is about far more than seafood or recreation but rather it is the area’s identity and the fabric of the community. As a Policy Board member, he sees his role as helping connect people, champion good ideas, and support science-based solutions that benefit the bays. Drawing from his experience as an entrepreneur and problem-solver, he brings a practical perspective focused on finding achievable solutions and understanding the tradeoffs that often accompany complex decisions.

Looking ahead, Branch hopes to see continued improvements in stormwater and wastewater management, stronger stewardship of local waterways, and healthier scallop and oyster populations. He is also passionate about public education and helping residents understand both the value and fragility of the bay ecosystem. He is a strong believer that individual actions can make a meaningful difference. When he’s not working, Mayor Branch enjoys diving, exploring local creeks, and spending time on the bay that he refers to as his childhood backyard.