Mayor Gimenez is speaker at Rotary luncheon

The Coconut Grove Rotary luncheon is Thursday, May 12 at the Sailing Club (2990 S. Bayshore Drive) at 12:15 pm.

The guest speaker at the luncheon is Carlos Gimenez, Mayor of Miami-Dade County.  

Mayor Gimenez was elected mayor of Miami-Dade County on June 28, 2011 in the wake of the recall election of Carlos Alvarez. Prior to his political career, he was a member of the City of Miami Fire Department. He was appointed Fire Chief by City in 1991, serving through 2000. While serving as Chief of Fire-Rescue, he is credited with modernizing the City's Fire Department and overseeing one of the largest re-organization in the department's history. He is a former member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fire Protection Association,the Florida Fire Chiefs and the Fire Officers Association of Miami-Dade.

From May 2000 to January 2003 Mayor Gimenez was the City Manager of Miami. As its chief administrative officer, he was responsible for an annual budget of $500 million, 4,000 employees and providing services to almost 400,000 residents. During his tenure as the City of Miami's top administrator, the city's bond rating went from "junk" to investment grade and the tax rate dropped to its lowest in 50 years. 

In 2004 Carlos was elected to the Miami-Dade County Commission for the county's 7th district which serves the cities of Coral Gables, Kendall, Pinecrest, South Miami and the Village of Key Biscayne. As Commissioner he also served on the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Urban Search and Rescue Advisory Committee and as Chair of the Legal Issues Subcommittee.  

Mayor Gimenez will be discussing past accomplishments as Mayor, as well as his future goals in his bid for reelection.

Please attend this Thursday and  RSVP at coconutgroverotaryclub@gmail.com. Lunch is $20.00.