How long have you been a FCCMA member? Since June 1999.
Are you an ICMA member and if so, how long? Yes, since May 1997.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in International Relations and a Master’s in Public Administration – both from Florida International University. I am also a Certified Manager through ICMA.
What got you interested in public service? Going back to my high schools days, I always had an affinity for my government and civics classes which got me interested in the pursuit of public service as a career. I had aspirations of working for the United Nations, Congress or the Florida Legislature, but eventually chose local government because it provided me with an opportunity to work closely with the public and effectuate change in a way that was more immediate.
What is your current occupation? Village Manager of the Village of Pinecrest.
Please give a brief job description. The Village Manager is the chief administrative officer of the Village and ensures the proper implementation of laws, policies, provisions of the Village Charter, and acts of the Village Council through the administration of all departments, divisions and agencies of the municipal government. The Village Manager is a charter official and reports to the Village Council. The Village Manager is responsible for the appointment, supervision and removal of all Village employees. In addition, the Village Manager submits a proposed annual budget, capital improvement program and comprehensive and financial reports to the Village Council.
Please describe your typical day. There are of course the routine administrative matters, HR issues, meetings, and e-mails (100s of e-mails each day). But, as any manager will tell you, there is no typical day.
What is your favorite part of the job? Working with the Village Council to develop programs and policies that make a difference in the lives of our residents.
What is your least favorite part of the job? I love public service and especially my role in Pinecrest – there are low moments as with all things, but no “least favorite” part of my job.
What is your most memorable experience on the job? After having served nearly ten years as assistant manager, the day that the Village Council confirmed me as Pinecrest’s second Village Manager especially since a national search was conducted and the mayor and councilmembers concluded that I was indeed the best person for the job.
What are hobbies/interests? I enjoy reading fiction and trying every great restaurant on South Beach and in the South Florida area.
If you could give one piece of advice to young people interested in a career in public service, what would it be? Be willing to do any task in your organization – you have to know how to do the job on the front lines before you can be a leader.
Who were your mentors and how have you passed this information down to other young public administrators? I had the privilege of working for two outstanding managers during the formative years of my career: C. Samuel Kissinger at the Village of Key Biscayne and Peter G. Lombardi at the Village of Pinecrest. I have also been fortunate to have worked for almost 20 years with our clerk, Guido Inguanzo, at both Key Biscayne and Pinecrest, who, although not a manager, has been a wonderful mentor and public servant. I actively promote internships in our organization and speak to high school students to promote the virtues of public service. I also take an active role in our local managers association to provide guidance and assistance to new managers in the Miami-Dade area.
Have you always been in the public sector or have you had experience in the private sector? I have had experience in the private sector, specifically in the areas of international trade and commerce. I also served as Chief Administrative Officer for a local law firm that specialized in municipal law and partnered on a private business venture to provide emergency recovery assistance in Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.
What career would you pick if you were to pick another? I would love to have worked for the US Foreign Service and one day have served as an ambassador. This might be an option for my life after municipal government.
