Mac McNeill is a sixth generation Floridian, born in Gainesville and raised in the rural small town of High Springs. Growing up he learned the value of hard work and dedication at an early age by working on local farms picking watermelons and tobacco, bagging and stocking groceries in a small grocery store, pumping gas at an aunt’s filling station, and working at the local Seminole feed store.

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After graduating from Santa Fe High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he achieved the rank of Sergeant during his enlistment. He is a combat veteran of the Gulf War and was awarded the Marine Combat Action Ribbon.

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Mac graduated as the Academic Honor Graduate from the Santa Fe Institute of Public Safety Law Enforcement Academy. He earned his Associate of Arts degree from Santa Fe College and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice with highest honors from Saint Leo University.

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Mac worked as a Deputy Sheriff for the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office with experience in Court Security, Patrol, Investigations, and as a member of the SWAT Team where he served on the Entry Teams as well as a trained Sniper. Most of his career has been with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as a Special Agent and in Protective Operations, supervising the protection of Florida’s Governor. For over 13 years Mac served on the protection details of Governor Jeb Bush, Governor Charlie Crist, and Governor Rick Scott.

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In 2017, Mac McNeill was appointed Jefferson County Sheriff by Governor Rick Scott.  He would later win a special election in 2018 and re-election in 2020.  As Sheriff, Mac has worked tirelessly to obtain additional funding through grants for Jefferson County’s law enforcement efforts, retain and properly compensate deputies, improve communication with the public through social media, enhance the safety of the county’s schools, and collaborate with business and civic leaders to address the needs of the community.