Jay & Brittany Trumbull – Working Together To Build A Better Bay County
BY MELISSA HAGAN; PHOTOS BY SONJA REVELLS
Jay Trumbull recently completed a successful political campaign and was elected and sworn in as the new State Representative for District 6 in the Florida House of Representatives. During the months’ long campaign, his entire family and his wife, Brittany, supported him in his efforts.
Jay’s willingness to take such a great political leap is balanced by a careful, thoughtful temperament. When asked about the best way to handle his new public figure status, Jay admits, “You have to stay humble at all times and always keep God at the center and not allow negativity to become a frustration.” At his side is wife Brittany as they sat down with Panama City Living to share a glimpse of their lives as they work together to build a better Bay County.
We asked Brittany about her feelings on being suddenly put into the spotlight . She describes herself as not political and more comfortable with strategy and organization but admits, “I knew this was something in our future. We just didn’t realize that it would be so soon.” Timing isn’t something that can always be controlled and opportunities have to be taken as they present themselves. This seems to be the case for the Trumbulls.
Both Jay and Brittany Trumbull were born and raised in Panama City. The high school sweethearts graduated from Bay High School and Auburn University and were married on October 22, 2011.
Brittany earned her degree in Bio-Systems Engineering and was involved in her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, where she served as Vice President of Membership Development. She also served on the Student Government Association as the Pro Tempore of the Auburn University Senate. She is currently a member of the Junior League of Panama City and works as a civil engineer with local engineering firm, Preble-Rish Inc.
Jay started working with his grandfather and father in the family business, Culligan Water Services, at the ripe age of 14, before he was even able to drive. After completing his degree in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship, he went back to work in the family business. He drove a water delivery truck for the first few years and worked through various levels to become a part of the dealer management team.
The couple is carefully balancing work, family life, and politics, given that Jay will be spending a great deal of his time in Tallahassee with committee meetings and the upcoming legislative session that will last for two months.
When you are involved in politics, your life becomes and open book…
PCL: How did the two of you meet?
Jay: We met in class our freshman year at Bay High and were just friends, but we didn’t start dating until our sophomore year.
Brittany: Our families had known each other for many years, but we met in Algebra I. I remember Jay didn’t like math very much, but I loved it.
PCL: What are your goals personally and at work?
Jay: I want to continue to work at Culligan and some day become president of the company. What I have learned is to never rule anything out. Whether it is personal, political, or business, if an opportunity arises, I plan to pursue it.
Brittany: My immediate work goal is to take/ pass the professional engineering exam to get my professional license. I become eligible to sit for the exam in October of 2015. We are taking everything one day at a time but eventually we expect to extend our family.
Jay: Brittany and I are excited about the possibility of starting a family here in Panama City. I am extremely proud of where we are today. Five years ago we did not know we would be in the position we are in now. But the exciting news is that God is faithful and has a great plan for our lives, much bigger than we can plan for ourselves.
Brittany: I don’t know where life will take us in the future. I’ve learned that no matter what my plan may be, life happens and plans change. My goal is to follow the open doors.
PCL: What are some tips you have for other couples trying to balance work and marriage?
Brittany: Marriage (Jay) is more important than any work commitment. However, I think it’s important that we each respect the other’s work and work priorities.
Jay: Brittany and I always try to make quality time together a priority. During the campaign, spending time together became increasingly difficult but, since this is one of the most important aspects of our relationship, we made it happen. It can be something as simple as going to lunch together, or going on a run. Showing Brittany that she is the most important person in my life keeps me grounded and helps us focus on things other than the stress of work.
Brittany: Jay did a good job during the election of only asking me to attend functions where my presence was really necessary and of keeping it from affecting me drastically at work.
Jay: Also, I believe that it is important for me to keep an open line of communication with Brittany and involve Brittany in my work at Culligan, the campaign or with my House responsibilities. By the same token, I love for Brittany to involve me with what she is doing at work or in other areas of her life, whether it is to talk about our day or an idea of how to handle a constituent. Having Brittany as a confidant and being able to bounce ideas off of her has helped us create a healthy balance between work and marriage.
PCL: Are there any special achievements for your business and as a couple?
Jay: I am extremely proud of the fact that our family company, Culligan Water, has been in business in Panama City for 60 years.
Brittany: We are humbled to be in the position we are today. I’m proud of our marriage but I don’t take anything for granted. I know that life and marriage are filled with ups and downs and, with God’s help, Jay and I are committed to working hard for the rest of our lives to ensure that we keep our marriage strong. I’m also proud of where I am professionally and am thankful for the opportunities I have been given.
Jay: As for us as a couple, I think it is pretty special that we are high school sweethearts.
Brittany: We have quickly learned that this isn’t just his job, but it is a family business. One of my most important jobs is supporting Jay at home and being the voice of reason in a shifting world.
PCL: What are your strengths and weaknesses as a couple and working together?
Jay: Brittany and I work very well together. The saying “opposites attract” fits us to a T. I tend to live a little more freely taking things in stride, whereas Brittany is much more calculated.
Brittany: Jay and I are different in about every way. When taking the Myers Briggs personality test, our answers are opposite.
Jay: We had to figure out the best way to communicate with each other, and I believe this has become one of the biggest strengths in our marriage.
Brittany: Our differences have become a major strength in our relationship, because his strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa, we complement each other.
PCL: How do you plan to balance your life as a spouse and duties as a member of the state legislature?
Brittany: When we first got married, Jay was living in Tallahassee, managing the Culligan office, and commuting back and forth. So, we are used to being apart because of work. During the legislative session, Jay will be living with my brother, Howell. He is in medical school at FSU and has a house already set up. It is not a very nice house by the way… (giggling)
Jay: Yes, reality is going to be the best way to stay humble and achieve balance. Brittany and I will balance our responsibilities by keeping God at the center of our lives and always being there for each other.
Brittany: Preble-Rish also has an office in Tallahassee that I can work out of when necessary. This will allow me to be closer to and reconnect with Jay for special events and important meetings during session when I am needed.
PCL: Do you have any traditions or rituals or something special you do for Valentine’s Day?
Brittany: We aren’t big on Valentine’s Day, and I’m too practical for typical gifts. I cherish any time we are both home for dinner together. I know we have only been married a few years, but we are trying to do a fun trip for our anniversary every year. So far, we’ve done a great job!
Jay: We don’t have anything special we do on Valentine’s Day. We try to cherish all of our time together.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS:
PCL: Where are your favorite places in PC?
Jay: Shell Island
Brittany: Shell Island and running along Beach Drive
PCL: What is your favorite hobby/leisure activity?
Brittany: Going out in the boat, fishing, running, reading, spending time with family and friends, making sure everything in my life is organized and in order (this doesn’t sound like a hobby but it really makes me happy).
Jay: Hunting and fishing
PCL: What are your favorite restaurants in PC?
Jay: Capt. Andersons, Gene’s Oyster Bar, Los Antojitos, g.Foley’s
Brittany: Los Antijitos, Cahalls, Buffalo Wild Wings, Capt. Anderson’s, and g.Foley’s
PCL: What is your favorite book?
Brittany: “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers
Jay: Anything written by John Grisham, “Good to Great” by Jim Collins
PCL: What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Jay: “You get out of something exactly what you put into it”- Jay Trumbull Sr.
Brittany: Don’t ever date anyone you wouldn’t marry.
[divider] [box type=”shadow” align=”aligncenter” ]Learn more at www.jaytrumbull.com
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