1. Paul A. Blackketter and Square Blue Consults, LLC
Paul Blackketter created Square Blue Consults, LLC to develop Public Private Partnership Projects
(P3s)with a focus on multi-use sporting facilities. Thesefacilities aredesigned with consideration
of the surrounding environment, its neighbors, potential users and vendors, surrounding
infrastructure, the return of the investments to the tax payer and investors and the overall
community to enhance the quality of life of its people.
Paul Blackketter has extensive knowledge in the P3 projects which originally came from the
development of the Nathan Benderson Park (NBP) Multi-Sporting Facility built in Sarasota
Florida. Paul led the efforts in the vision, research, business plan implementation, bidding, event
execution and management of the park from its inception to today’s success. The County owned
park was an original mining pit that was transformed into the premier sporting facility hosting
over 50 events yearly, 40 national and international training teams and a wonderful community
park for the everyday user. Winner of over 20 design awards, over 75 million in economic impact
since 2009 and hosting of events such as the (3) World Cup Pentathlons, Olympic trials for
Rowing, International and Regional Triathlons, Canoe and Kayak, World Dragon Boat events,
National Youth and Masters Rowing Championships, winning bids for the World Rowing
Championship, NCAA Rowing Championships and the World Rowing Masters Regatta to mention
just a few. Paul is considered by the Federation of International Rowing (FISA) as one of the most
experience rowing venue business development planners in the world due to his travel to
facilities around the world studying the design,business plans and events at the parks for the last
8 years. In addition to the vision, design, construction and business plan development Paul led,
he also operated the Nathan Benderson Park as the President and CEO leading the charge to all
the events, bids and development of the park from 2009 to events that will be held in 2018. The
facility that Paul led is now considered as one the top facility of its kind in the world by major
NBGs, IFs and other sporting organizations.
Before the NBP, Paul comes from an intensive commercial development background working as
the Executive Director of Planning for Benderson Development, one of the largest family owned
development companies in the US. Paul was responsible for the development and land use
approvals for over 5 million square feet of commercial development along the Suncoast region
of Florida. Paul’s main responsibility was to gain consensus of the surrounding communities,
develop timelines and task list to orchestrate the design and development team, plan and
present to the County Commissioners and City Councils for approval. Paul was successful for all
presentation and plans submitted.
In addition, Paul has extensive knowledge in logistical and operational planning. As a retired
Major, in the US Army, Paul was responsible for developing largeCompany, Battalion and Brigade
level operational plans for both training and combat operations. With multiple stateside and
foreign deployments, Paul’s experience is comprehensive in the development, management and
implementation of large planned training and combat operations.