How long have you been an FCCMA member, and why did you join?
I joined FCCMA in 2021 because I was looking for an association that provided training sessions on Florida issues and wanted to meet my colleagues across the region and state.
Are you an ICMA member? Why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
I joined ICMA in 2019 and have been a member since. I recognized the need to stay on top of industry-wide issues and best practices. ICMA also has an amazing annual conference and various training opportunities that I find very beneficial. This allows me to bring new ideas and practices to my community and provide the best service possible.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I received an Associate of Art’s in Mass Communication from Miami-Dade Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of North Florida, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Florida International University.
Why did you select a career in public service?
I didn’t, really. Initially, I wanted to do Public Relations for a professional sports franchise. However, after graduation, I began doing community outreach for a project in collaboration with Fort Lauderdale. Here, a new world opened up to me that traced back to the various life lessons my parents taught me: to always serve others fully with no expectations. What greater joy can we have than to provide for others in ways that give them a high quality of life?
Have you always been in the public sector, or have you had experience in the private sector?
Although I started in the private sector right out of college, I have mainly worked in the public sector since.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a City Administrator/Manager.
I am the City Manager for the beautiful City of North Miami Beach, a mid-size city with more than 43,000 residents and a general fund budget of $165 million.
Please describe your typical day.
I start every day by dropping my kids off at school or camp. Connecting with them every day helps get my mind in the right place for what is to come. From a business perspective, I begin with a morning call with my Police Chief to address any pressing topics or issues that occurred overnight. I try to spend the first hour doing some development activities. By 9:00 a.m., I am meeting with my Assistant City Managers on any pressing topics or follow-up items from the previous days. My calendar is typically full between Commissioner, resident, agency or vendor meetings until about 5:00 p.m. In between the meetings, I try to walk through City Hall to check in on some directors and see if there is something I can assist them with or get them a resource they need. Being present for everyone is important, so I lean on my team as heavily as I can. I tend to leave the office just before 7:00 p.m. unless there is a meeting or community event. After the family has dinner and everyone goes to bed. I try to catch up on emails and do it all over again. If not for the amazing team around me, I would never be able to bounce from topic to topic.
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is jumping from one topic to the next and never having the same day twice. Listening to the community and then watching the team come up with some innovative ideas to improve their lives and service delivery. It is amazing to see a group of people suddenly come together and accomplish something they couldn’t imagine just moments before.
What is your least favorite part of the job?
We sacrifice our private lives to give so much to the community we serve. Work-life balance is important for us to be able to maintain a proper perspective in our lives. However, we all sacrifice at certain points because of what needs to be accomplished. At those times, not being there can hurt a little bit more than it normally does.
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.
Something that has been important to me is serving on my local Housing Authority Board. Being part of an organization that works to give assistance without making them feel like a second-class citizen brings me to continue to assist in that role. Also, I have tried to become more present in professional organizations so that I can learn and give back to anyone willing to listen and learn from my success and mishaps. Lastly, my family donates some time yearly to our local church in various ways.
What is your most memorable experience on the job?
There isn’t a specific moment but a general feeling. During emergency situations, I tend to jump into a different mindset. It is a tiring instance, but then comes a moment both before and after the situation when speaking to a community member. You can tell they are worried and scared, but just being there and speaking to them means the world to them. You see their gratitude and relief that they are not alone. Those moments are the ones the stay with me.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I am all over the place with hobbies. I can tell you what I enjoy the most is just gathering with friends or family. I love watching people smile and enjoying the moment. Too often, we think about the past or what is to come, and we forget to enjoy the moment we are currently living in.
If you could give one piece of advice to people interested in a career in public service, what would it be?
There can be many paths, and it isn’t easy. However, it is worth every moment.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other aspiring public administrators?
I am blessed to be part of the Miami-Dade City/County Managers Association. My local colleges are absolutely amazing, and I have been able to lean on all of them for guidance and wisdom. In turn, I make it a point to listen and speak to anyone that is willing to listen. I also participate in various associations to help and learn as much as possible.
What career would you pick if you were to pick another?
Although I am not talented enough, I think I would want to open a small restaurant. It goes back to making people smile and watching them enjoy themselves.
Do you have a story you can share about how being a member of FCCMA has helped you or impacted you in a positive way?
Self-confidence. Participating in the Membership committee has been fun. It has given me a chance to meet so many people I would not have had the chance to. The webinars have been spot on at addressing issues we all face and the Conference was not only a blast but the sessions were very insightful.
