Maury Kolchakian

Maury Kolchakian ’s education prepared him for a distinguished career in public safety and law. He served as general counsel and legislative director for the Florida Sheriffs Association, assistant director of environmental law enforcement, and public safety policy director for the governor’s office. His leadership extended to service on the boards of the Florida Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Florida Network of Victim/Witness Services and the State Law Enforcement Chiefs Association, as well as chairing the Governor’s Highway Safety Council.
Kolchakian served on the FSU Alumni Association National Board of Directors (1998-2010), including as chair, and was named to the Circle of Gold in 2008. A mMember of the Alumni Association and Alumni Center Fund donor, his FSU Foundation involvement includes membership in the President’s Club, Strozier Society and Westcott Society; service as an ex officio board member; and support for scholarships such as the Sandra Anderson Single Parent Scholarship.
A Seminole Booster since 1975 and Golden Chief, Kolchakian has contributed to the Stadium Capital Gift Fund and the Betty Smothers Scholarship, was named Top War Chief in the Boosters’ Fund Drive and served as an ex officio member of the Seminole Boosters Board.
As an FSU student, Kolchakian was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, Gold Key, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Sigma Alpha (political science honorary) and Phi Alpha Theta (history honorary). He served as president of the Rotaract Club, participated in the ODK Grad Made Good Selection Committee, Homecoming Committee and Amoco Faculty Awards Committee, and received the Coyle Moore Award. In law school, he was president of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, earning its Outstanding Student Award all three years and served as the student representative on the Law School Faculty Committee.
An active community leader, Kolchakian has been president of the Capital Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow and has led service projects for the Children’s Home Society, YMCA and Boy Scouts. He has also served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, been a United Way Leadership Donor, a member of the Springtime Tallahassee Krewe and a youth baseball and football coach.
In retirement, Kolchakian and his wife, Diana (B.A. ’75), enjoy time with their young grandson, relaxing at their Oyster Bay home, attending FSU games and pursuing Kolchakian’s interests in history and genealogy.