Stearns Weaver Miller Welcomes New Director of Entitlements Ryan W. Manasse

TAMPA, FL – Stearns Weaver Miller announced that Ryan Manasse has joined the firm’s statewide Land Development, Zoning & Environmental group as Director of Entitlements in its Tampa office.

Manasse brings more than two decades of experience in planning, development and land use across Florida’s private and public sectors. In his new role, he will work closely with the firm’s attorneys, planners and GIS specialists to prepare and manage land use applications involving rezonings, variances, conditional and special use permits, comprehensive plan amendments, code enforcement matters and development permitting.

Before joining the firm, Manasse served for four years as the Director of Development and Planning at a Tampa Bay regional law firm. Earlier in his career, he spent seven years in the public sector, serving in planning and code enforcement roles with the City of Tampa, including as Planning and Development Coordinator. Prior to transitioning into planning and development, Manasse worked for 14 years as a Certified General Contractor. He is also a proud United States Marine Corps veteran.

“Ryan’s experience gives him a 360-degree perspective on the land development process,” said Elise Batsel, shareholder and member of the firm’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. “Having worked as a contractor, in municipal planning and code enforcement, and most recently guiding development projects at another law firm, he understands the challenges our clients face from every angle. His practical insight and collaborative approach will be an asset to our team and the clients we serve.”

Manasse serves on the Advisory Committee for the University of South Florida’s Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) program. He also volunteers as a mentor to MURP students through the American Planning Association Sun Coast Section’s Mentor A Planning Student (MAPS) program.