Florida Off-Road Foundation, Inc. (FORF) is a nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and creator of the Explore Off-Road Florida license plate. FORF’s primary objective and sole responsibility is to the success of the Explore Off-Road Florida license plate and the collection-distribution of the annual use fees from license plate sales.
PROTECT & PRESERVE Florida’s off-road culture & its natural heritage
EDUCATE Floridians about responsible use of the off-road environment
Support SEARCH & RESCUE volunteer programs to promote the use of off-road vehicles to assist law enforcement
RESTORE Florida’s off-road trails and natural habitat through organized cleanups, restorations, and expansion
Executive Producer, Visionary, Creator
FLORIDA NATIVE – DEEPLY ROOTED
Born in 1966 Mark Hess is a native Floridan from Tampa. It’s here his family is deeply rooted since early 1900’s, among them holding positions such as the Mayor of Tampa, Director of the first Tampa Tourism, State Attorney, and Founder of Senate Coffee, later sold to Maxwell House.
FAMILY TIES
In 1985 Hess moved to the Panama City Beach, Florida to work in the family business, at Ebro Greyhound Park & Poker Room where he remains today as Marketing Director and assisting his younger brother Rick, and their father Stockton Hess, President & General Manager in all management aspects. However, Mark’s shared love for the family business wasn’t enough.
EVENT PRODUCER
In 1999, he founded Hess Entertainment Inc. and never looked back. For seventeen years, he produced some of the very best musical entertainment Bay County has every experienced, producing over 100 concerts events to date. Among some of the artists were Tony Keith, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, Hank Williams Jr, ZZ Top, Styx, REO Speedwagon,, Foreigner, Boston, Steve Miller Band, Tony Bennett, BB King, and Engelbert Humperdinck.
TAKING A DIFFERENT TRAIL
Timing is critical, and it was time for Hess to set in motion a 10+ year plan with multi projects each created to strengthen the other. Beginning in 2016, Hess founded Florida Jeep Jam in Panama City Beach, Florida. A Multi-Day Jeep Beach Vacation for Jeep owners, enthusiast & their families, in 2020 the event celebrates it’s 5th year. It was during this time Hess & business partner Mark Forrest created “The American SuperJeep Challenge” a Motor Tread Network competition TV series. Most recently, Hess worked with Florida Legislators and the top Florida lobbyist to secure passing legislation that allows for the addition of the NEW “Explore Off Road” Florida Specialty License Plate administered by Florida Off-Road Foundation, Inc, (FORF) a nonprofit corporation under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
SERVING HIS COMMUNITY ON THE FOLLOWING BOARDS
Washington County Chamber
Panama City Beaches Chamber
Washington County EDC
Gulf Coast College Foundation
Florida Restaurant & Lodging
Bay County American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
Florida Off-Road Foundation, Inc, (FORF) 501c
Partner, Florida Jeep Jam, Panama City Beach, Florida
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Mark is a Native of Georgia and its here where he began investing in and purchasing a multitude of successful businesses until 1996 when Forrest sold his promotional business and moved to Panama City Beach, Florida where he remains today. In 2005 Forrest purchased a vacation rental property management company, Venture Out Vacations Inc is currently enjoying a 300% increase in sales and still growing. In 2013 Forrest joined efforts with Hess and secured an investment partnership with Hess Entertainment Group Inc. continuing to provide Panama City Beach, Florida entertainment thru 2016. Shortly following in 2017 Forrest arranged to purchase the remaining available shares of JBJ Productions Inc. Producer of Florida Jeep Jam, Panama City Beach, Florida. A Multi-Day Jeep Beach Vacation for Jeep owners, enthusiast & their families.
Served on the Following Boards:
Museum of Florida Jeeps
Friends of Florida Jeepers
Administrative Director
