City Councilman for the City of Naples Sam Saad, III brings a wealth of experience with him to the job: attorney; business entrepreneur and owner; former presidential campaigner; and political appointee for the Department of Labor, among others jobs working for Members of Congress and a governor.

“We have wonderful people and wonderful potential in our town,” Sam said.  “It is my goal to ensure that Naples remains THE premier place to live, work, and raise a family—today and tomorrow.”

Sam’s main focus, he says, is economic development in the downtown area. “Specifically, I am working to reduce fees, permitting times, and zoning issues so that Naples is a more attractive place to invest.”

Sam took LI’s Campaign Leadership School in
November of 1995.  

“Going to the Leadership Institute’s Campaign Leadership School was the jumping off point from volunteer to professional campaigner,” Sam said.  “I use those skills to manage my business and my political office.”

When asked about the Institute’s programs, Sam said: “LI training is INVALUABLE.  It is essential for success in politics whether an elected official or an activist.”

“The part I remember and use the most are list management and GOTV,” Sam said. “I always worked in the field operations part of campaigns and I am pretty good with an Excel spreadsheet so I could create walk lists and manage the ‘sign war’.”

Sam is the owner of a real estate and business law practice, Sam J. Saad III, PA, which provides general legal advice and tax planning to small business owners.

Before starting his business, Sam was an attorney with Advocate Aircraft Taxation Co. in Naples.  There he implemented tax planning strategies for aircraft owners, negotiated aircraft acquisition, financing and insurance terms.

Before moving to Naples, Sam was a presidential appointee serving as special assistant to the Solicitor of Labor at the U.S. Department of Labor.  Before that, Sam was coalitions, management and communications assistant on the Bush-Cheney 2004 reelection campaign.



A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Sam earned his bachelor’s of science degree in business administration. He holds his Juris Doctorate (JD) from the Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska.

Sam has previously worked as a field operative for Bresow for Governor, an intern for Stenberg for Senate, and as an intern for Rep. Jon Christensen.



Sam is involved with the local Naples business community as an executive member of the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and as an active participant in the Collier County Bar Association and Young Professionals of Naples.

If you are interested in taking you’re campaigning to the next level—from volunteer to professional campaigner or candidate—register for LI’s campaign training.  LI now offers campaign training every month for a full week.

To nominate a Leadership Institute graduate to be featured as LI's graduate of the week, please contact LI's External Affairs Officer Lauren Hart at LaurenHart@LeadershipInstitute.org.