How long have you been a FCCMA member and why did you join?
I joined FCCMA to connect with local government professionals within the state.
Are you an ICMA member, why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
I joined ICMA as part of my fellowship.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
- PMP Certification
- Master of Public Administration
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management
- Florida Registered Paralegal
Why did you select a career in public service?
As for many in the nation, 2020 was a year of events that shook us all. With the Covid-19 pandemic and national social unrest I felt that I was not doing enough in my community. While I was not in the position to become an activist, I made intentional choices to get involved. I became a census enumerator for the 2020 census, a poll worker for the 2020 elections and made the decision to enroll in an online fast-track MPA program – effectively changing my career path from a 15-year Mass Tort Litigation Paralegal to Local Government.
Please tell us about your current position.
- 2021-2022 – ICMA Senior Management Fellow
- Present – Administrative Supervisor, Government Affairs & Economic Development Division
Please describe your typical day.
- Typical day? Does one even exist in local government? How about a typical week?
- Meeting with the department supervisor, attending a grand opening, catching up on administrative work, meeting on a new project, working on a last-minute commission/City Manager request, REPEAT
What is your favorite part of the job?
The Hustle and bustle. While there are some duties that are constant, many times there are so many different and exciting opportunities.
If you are involved in any volunteer or leadership activities in your community, please share with us a bit about what you do and why it is important to you.
- NFBPA South Florida Chapter – Community Service Chair
- Latinos in Local Government (LGHN Florida Chapter) – Sectary/Treasurer
- FCCMA – Communications Committee
- ICMA – Welcome Ambassador
I received my first exposure to local government trough NFBPA. Meeting professionals at these events has been instrumental in my professional growth. I hope to do the same for others.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I’m a bubbly and outgoing person. So of course, my hobbies are those that involve me putting on a show: singing (I’m great at karaoke), dancing and event planning.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
One advice I would give is to hold on to your why. Its so easy to get burned out or overwhelmed with all the work that needs to be done.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
I have such a wonderful team of personal and professional mentors. Starting with my parents. Both of whom work in the public sector: my father, Raymond Gongora, is retired from the US Postal Service after 35 years of service and my mother, Veronica Gongora is the Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Lauderdale Lakes.
My mentors in the field have been Greg Chavarria – City Manager to the City of Fort Lauderdale, Daphnee Sanvile – Division Manager for Government Affairs. They have truly come along side me and encouraged my efforts to grow.
My advice for anyone looking to get into local government and those who may feel stuck is to join professional organizations like FCCMA, NFBPA, and LGHN. Being around other professionals who have been there and have gotten through it is so critical to staying in the game. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. We rely on the experiences of other.
