a look at...
Julie Ward Bujalski
and Tom Bujalski
photography by Win Wolloff
Dunedin Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski spent 20 years in the
fashion merchandising industry before being elected to
the Dunedin City Commission in April 2006, where she
served two terms as vice mayor before being elected mayor,
twice, starting in November 2014. She and her husband Tom,
who have been married for 30 years, have a son, Thomas, who
is a sophomore at Santa Fe College in Gainesville.
Julie grew up in Dunedin and graduated from Dunedin
High School. Tom grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and moved
to Florida to work in construction with his older brother before
eventually starting his own residential remodeling business,
Tom Bujalski Construction. He is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and
an avid outdoorsman.
Julie studied business at ITT Technical Institute and fashion
merchandising at St. Petersburg College. She is a graduate of the
Leadership Pinellas class of 2009, the Florida League of Cities
Institute of Elected Municipal Officials I, II and III and has taken
multiple classes through the National League of Cities Leadership
Training program.
Both Julie and Tom, as proud parents and volunteers, have
been a part of the Dunedin Stirling Soccer Club, Dunedin Junior
Falcons Football, Greater Dunedin Little League, and Dunedin
High School’s football and wrestling teams. They are lifetime
members of the Dunedin Boat Club, and when they find a minute
to spare, they spend their time boating on St. Joseph Sound and
camping in Florida’s state parks.
At what do you excel?
Julie: I’m a people person. Understanding what people want
and helping them along the way just makes my day better.
Tom: Working with people – helping them to create a vision of
the home they really want.
What is your favorite word?
Julie: Gators.
Tom: Carpe Diem.
What provides you with pleasure?
Julie: Seeing our son Thomas succeed.
Tom: Hunting and spending time with my family.
How do you relax?
Julie: Boating, camping and going to the beach.
Tom: Piling the family on the couch in front of a good movie.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Julie: Trust your gut.
Tom: Never leave home without my imagination.
130 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
Why do you do what you do?
Julie: Because Dunedin is in my soul. I love this place and the
people in it. Representing them and ensuring future generations
experience what we have gives me a reason to get up every day.
Tom: I love the challenge of making something better. I’m a
creative person and no two jobs are alike. And when I’m done, I
know my customers will enjoy our collaboration for a long time.
What don’t people know about you?
Julie: I’m adopted.
Tom: I’m an open book.
What are your favorite words of wisdom?
Julie: No one can make you feel inferior unless you let them.
Tom: Don’t ever let anything intimidate you.
What is your motto?
Julie: You can do anything you set your mind to.
Tom: Treat others as you would want them to treat you.
How do you think other people would describe you?
Julie: Down to Earth, hardworking and fun.
Tom: Honest, hardworking and fun.
What would you like to do that you have never done?
Julie: Be the director of an organization that helps others.
Tom: Go on a moose hunt in Canada.
How would you describe yourself?
Julie: A good friend and fun.
Tom: Loyal to my friends and family, hardworking and dependable.
What is your idea of happiness?
Julie: A weekend on the boat with family and friends.
Tom: The Steelers winning the Super Bowl.
What is your pet peeve?
Julie: Judgment of others.
Tom: Being unorganized.
What talent do you wish you had?
Julie: Captaining a boat.
Tom: Technology.
What is the secret to your success?
Julie: Listening.
Tom: Creativity and customer service.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Julie: A lawyer.
Tom: An inventor. 9