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As commissioner, he serves in various capacities on different committees of the Miami-Dade County Commission. He is the Vice-Chairperson of the Infrastructure and Land Use Committee and is also a member of the Community Outreach, Safety and Health Care Administration and Community Empowerment and Economic Revitalization Committees. He was appointed by former County Mayor Alex Penelas to represent the county internationally as chairman of the Jay Malina International Trade Consortium (ITC). Commissioner Diaz held that position until January 2006. During his tenure, he was instrumental in making profitable connections for businesses in Miami-Dade County and in the Caribbean and Latin America. In addition to his leadership role with ITC, he is also a member of the Florida FTAA Board. Florida FTAA was formed to support hemispheric free trade with the ultimate goal of bringing the permanent Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) to Miami. Commissioner Diaz’s efforts to become heavily involved in both the FTAA and ITC stem from his goal to secure jobs for thousands of residents in Miami Dade County and to participate in making Miami-Dade County the true “Gateway to the Hemispheres”. The commissioner is recognized frequently for service to his community. Most recently he was bestowed with the prestigious Peace and Unity Award by the St. Martin de Porres Association of the Archdiocese of Miami. Born in Cuba, Diaz has lived in Sweetwater, Florida for more than 30 years. A former US Marine, he is dedicated to the local community and the growth of it’s economy. <top of page>
He currently sits on the Orange Bowl Committee, the Salvation Army Board of Directors, International Council of Shopping Centers, and is the Chairman of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Sports Council. He successfully helped lead the Orange Bowl’s effort in doubling the University of Iowa attendance at the 2003 Orange Bowl Game and Festival, and continues to add to the economic growth of the community through industry-specific efforts such as sports development. Gautier received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Auburn University, and attended Westminster High School in Miami. <top of page>
Dr. Solomon has served the community for many years through his volunteer efforts with youth sports as a health care provider, and coach for Optimist, YMCA, and Public School programs. He lectures often on health, wellness, and safety issues at numerous governmental agencies and corporations around Miami-Dade County. His leadership as the President of the Florida Chiropractic Association, and American Chiropractic Association Council on Sports Injury and Physical Fitness shows his dedication to excellence. Dr. Solomon’s sports medicine career has taken him to some of the world’s largest and most prestigious sporting events, including an international host clinic at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA, and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, where he served as the official Staff Chiropractor for the athletes. Other sports physician invlovement includes United States Track and Field National Championships and Olympic Trials, USA Judo and USA Figure Skating National Championships. Also, for five years, Dr. Solomon served as the attending chiropractor for Florida International University’s Department of Athletics. Dr. Solomon holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia and a Diplomate as a Sports Physician from New York Chiropractic College. Dr. Solomon is married to Jennifer with three beautiful children, Nikki, Dylan, and Olivia. <top of page>
Salver was elected to Bay Harbor Islands Town Council in 1999, previously served as Vice Mayor from 2003-2004 and Mayor from 2004-2005. He chaired the Employee Retirement Fund for three years and serves on the Charter review Committee. Salver is the Immediate Past President of the Miami Dade County League of Cities where he has served on the Board of Directors since 2000. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Florida League of Cities 2003, and is currently serving on the Executive Committee and Municipal Loan Committee. Salver previously served as Board Liaison to the Municipal Finance and Taxation Committee in 2005 and served as Vice Chairman to the Florida League of Cities prestigious Intergovernmental Relations Committee. Salver serves on the board of directors for The Children’s Trust and various charitable and religious organizations. Councilman Salver has been honored by the American Civil Liberties Union, American Jewish Congress, and State of Israel Bonds – Accountants and Lawyers Division. Salver has a Bachelor’s of Science from Florida State University and a MBA from Hofstra University. He is married to Bahee, and they have three sons Seth 18, Elijah 15, and Jesse 11. Seth is currently a freshman at University of Maryland. <top of page>
Throughout her 26 year professional educational career, Dr. Greenberg has served as Special Advisor on Youth Fitness to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; President of the Florida Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance, and Driver Education (FAHPERD); chaired the Sport Development Committee for the United States Olympic Committee as a Regional Development Program Coordinator for USA Field Hockey; coordinated the Olympic Torch Relay Miami Leg for the Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, served as a national consultant in assisting school systems in setting up FIT-TECH Centers and assisted the United States Department of Health and Human Services in the development of the I Can Do It, You Can Do It Program, a national initiative to address the physical activity levels of youth with disabilities. For these efforts, Dr. Greenberg was named as the 2005 National Physical Education Administrator of the Year by the National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) and received the 2005 Highest Recognition Award by the United States Secretary of Health, Michael Leavitt. Dr. Greenberg has also served as an international consultant, coordinating Olympic Education Programs in Canada, developing the Sport Science Curriculum at the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia, developed math and science sailing curriculum for the National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory in London and Sydney Australia, developed a Conservation Safari in South Africa, developed the drug education curriculum in Antigua, and presented at the International Olympic Committee Meeting in Singapore. In addition Dr. Greenberg has recently published a book, “Developing School Site Wellness Centers”, published numerous articles, co-authored a professional text, and has been a speaker at several state, national, and International conventions. In the past six years, Dr. Greenberg has further secured over $11.3 million in federal and foundation grants for educational programs, including the Carol M. White, Physical Education for Progress (PEP) grant.
Commissioner Rolle began his public service career with the James E. Scott Community Association (JESCA) as a Social Worker in 1972. Today he serves as President and CEO of JESCA, which has a total of 260 employees, and an approximate budget of $7 million annually, as well as Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Economic Development and Housing Committee. Commissioner Rolle has been the recipient of numerous awards due to his work within the community. Among these awards are: the Florida A&M Alumni Outstanding Service Award; the Apostolic Revival Center Usher Board Community Service Recognition; the World Vision Award; and the National Women of Achievement Profiles of Prominence Award. Commissioner Rolle was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) in 1967 and his Masters of Arts Degree in Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1973. <top of page>
Mr. Albert has experience in a broad array of corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; partnerships, joint ventures and LLC’s; closely-held corporations, shareholders’ agreements, employment agreements and restrictive covenants; corporate finance, institutional finance and public finance; and contracts. He has represented many different types of clients, including professional sports franchises and facilities, as well as technology companies. Mr. Albert has attained an “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell – a rating achieved by only five percent of attorneys — indicating that he “has reached the height of professional excellence” and is “recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.” In 2005, 2006 and 2007, he was recognized in Florida Trend Magazine as a “Florida Legal Elite” and has been designated by his peers as one of the top 1.6% of lawyers in the state of Florida. Mr. Albert was also recognized in 2004 by the South Florida Business Journal as a “Heavy Hitter in Finance,” in 2007 by the top legal guide The Best Lawyers in America, published by Woodward and White and as a “2007 Florida Super Lawyer” in Law & Politics. Active in the community, Mr. Albert is currently involved with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (General Counsel; Executive Committee and Board of Directors; Sports Committee Chairman); Temple Beth Sholom (President-Elect), Mount Sinai Medical Center Young Presidents Club (Immediate Past Chairman), and Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation (Board of Directors). Previously, he has served with Lawyers For Children America (Board of Directors and Treasurer), Miami Beach Jewish Community Center (Vice President) and multiple committees of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation. <top of page>
Mr. Muñoz currently oversees the County’s Recreation and Cultural portfolio which consist of five departments, and a combined budget of $227.8 million. He also oversees the Animal Services Department. His other duties have included: overview of the County’s Procurement Department responsible for the annual acquisition of goods and services totaling over $900 million, the Departments of Business Development, Consumer Services, and the Office of Health Care Planning. Mr. Muñoz also served as the Manager's representative on matters relating to the Public Health Trust, Clerk of the Courts, State Attorney and Public Defender. He was the lead county official on incorporation and annexation issues, responsible for municipal relations and the County's $1.6 million United Way fund raising campaign. Prior to his tenure with the County Manager’s Office, Mr. Muñoz was appointed as the Director of the 1999 Super Bowl Host Committee. In this capacity, he oversaw a $12 million dollar budget, while directing preparations for South Florida to serve as the Super Bowl Host City. This also involved working directly with the National Football League and numerous business entities in the South Florida. The Super Bowl effort involved extensive fund raising, logistics and resource planning, and the recruitment and coordination of over 8,000 volunteers. Mr. Muñoz holds a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and a Bachelor’s of Art and Science with a triple major in International Affairs, History and Spanish from Florida State University. In earning his undergraduate degree, Mr. Muñoz obtained a majority of his Spanish credits at the University of Salamanca in Salamanca Spain. <top of page>
Talbert’s 12 years of experience at the GMCVB include major accomplishments such as assisting with the passage of the Food and Beverage tax to fund the GMCVB’s advertising budget, negotiating interlocal government funding agreements and preparing two successful Super Bowl bids. He played an integral role in the recent re-engineering of the GMCVB, decreasing overhead to put more money into much needed advertising for the destination. He showed strong leadership after 9/11, as the GMCVB was the first Bureau in the country to market a fully funded post- 9/11 message, and the first to adjust its administrative budget while increasing promotional efforts. Talbert holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. <top of page>
A member of the Marriott management team for over 27 years, he was the Marriott liaison for the IOC during the 1995 – 1996 Atlanta Olympics preparation period. He has opened doors for the Marriott organization with numerous sports groups, such as Georgia Tech Football, U.S. Track & Field, USA Judo, and the Sunshine State Games, allowing Marriott to act as the host hotel. Mr. Mulrey spearheaded the University of Miami Athletics Partnership and works closely with all leagues regarding individual team requirements during their stay in Miami. He is also an adjunct professor in the FIU School of Hospitality and Council 100. Originally from Weymouth, Massachusetts, Mr. Mulrey graduated with Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management 1979 from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Mr. Mulrey has been married for 23 years to wife Sandy with three children Derek, Tara, and Alex. <top of page>
As the organization’s COO, Poms’ role had him firmly entrenched in the negotiations of the BCS, as well as its precursors, the Bowl Coalition and Bowl Alliance. Most recently, he was instrumental in the administration of the OBC’s renewal of its membership in the BCS through 2010, guaranteeing the Committee another National Championship game in January 2009. While Poms has been at the Orange Bowl, the Committee has hosted five National Championship games in 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001 and most recently, in 2005. In the summer of 2006 under Poms’ leadership, the OBC entered a mutually beneficial relationship with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), whereby the ACC champion is guaranteed a spot in the FedEx Orange Bowl on an annual basis, provided it does not qualify for the BCS National Championship game. Poms also serves as CEO of the Orange Bowl Foundation, the charity arm of the Committee, whose mission is to organize, sponsor, produce, promote and participate in athletic contests, educational opportunities, clinics, expositions and other similar programs and projects for the youth of South Florida. Poms is active with the Boys & Girls Club of Miami, Inc., where he has served on the Executive Committee since 1996. Poms graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida. He then went on to earn his Master of Exercise and Sports Sciences from UF in 1990. He and his wife, Krista, have daughter, Julia Brooke and a newborn son Justin Tyler reside in Weston, Fla. <top of page>
Garcia’s vision for FIU Athletics is ambitious but clear. His focus is unwavering and he has already put FIU on the path to reach its goals in several areas in a short time at his post. He increased academic support for student-athletes by hiring additional staff and implementing several programs that have resulted in significant academic improvement in just one full semester at FIU. Garcia also campaigned for and was granted more summer school opportunities for student-athletes to meet their degree requirements in a timely fashion as they balance the rigors of competing at the Division I level. Garcia played a crucial role in garnering University-wide approval for a new on-campus football stadium and student support complex that is currently under construction, and helped select Odebrecht Construction, Inc. to design and build the complex. Garcia served in various roles at the University of Miami, first as an assistant recruiting coordinator for football in 1990, following a year in personnel development with the Miami Dolphins. He spent five years as the director of football operations, and most recently as the senior associate AD overseeing the school’s media relations, marketing and ticket sales, as well as managing all major contract negotiations with corporations such as Nike, Gatorade and Coca-Cola. At Miami, Garcia was instrumental in recruiting football players such as current NFL standouts Andre Johnson, Ray Lewis, Bryant McKinnie, Santana Moss, Clinton Portis, Ed Reed, Jeremy Shockey, Jonathan Vilma, Reggie Wayne, Vince Wilfork and D.J. Williams. In 2001, Garcia joined former UM coach Butch Davis with the Cleveland Browns as the director of football development. Two years later, he was promoted to vice president of player personnel and football development and served in that capacity for another two seasons prior to returning to Miami. A native of Havana, Cuba, Garcia is a 1984 graduate of the University of Miami with a B.S. in business administration. Garcia and his wife, Edylin—an FIU graduate, have one daughter, Kristie. <top of page>
Barrett’s role has expanded with IMG, the parent company of the Sony Ericsson Open. He is a consultant for the IMG-run China Open and the Tournament Director for the Bank of the West Classic, a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event held in Palo Alto, CA. Barrett was named to the tournament director post in 2002. He originally joined the event in 1990 as accounting manager/human resource manager and quickly rose in the ranks to Vice President of Finance before taking on the Executive Vice President duties in 1997 and now his current position of Tournament Director. He developed the accounting, in-house ticketing, and other business operating systems currently used by the tournament. In 1997, he helped create the tournament website SonyEricssonOpen.com He developed “The Championship Way”, the tournament’s guest service program that is the vehicle for fulfilling the events mission of meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of tournament guests. Born and raised in Miami, Barrett graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the University of Florida. He resides in Weston, Florida, with his wife Rachel and their three children, Matthew, Zoey, and Chase. <top of page>
Upon the successful sale of Ineto International in 2001, Tomas helped launch The ASTRI Group, an early-stage private equity investment company providing capital, business development and strategic marketing support to emerging private companies. Tomas also actively sits on numerous boards including Avisena (an applications service provider and revenue management solution for healthcare organizations) BioHeart (cell-based therapy treatment of cardiovascular diseases), Perimeter Internetworking (a managed security services provider for financial and healthcare institutions) and Chispa Restaurants. His passion for business is only paralleled by his devotion to his community and children’s causes. He is deeply committed to many not-for-profit organizations and actively participates as an executive board member for Amigos for Kids and the Kids and Families Foundation. Tomas holds an MBA from the University of Miami and Bachelors degrees from Florida International University. He currently resides in Miami, Florida. <top of page> In 1996, he began working for the City of Hialeah’s Recreation and Community Services Department coaching youth sports. In 2004, Mr. Alonso was promoted to Recreation Leader II, where he oversaw the athletic programs at his assigned facility and later that year due to his hard work, dedication, organizational abilities, and scoring in civil service exams he would again be promoted to Center Director I, where he would oversee the daily operations of the facility along with organizing the youth athletic leagues and the running of the new City’s Pony League Baseball. In 2006, Mr. Alonso’s expertise in planning and organization of sporting events and the running of his facility earned him the Special Events Coordinator position with the City of Hialeah Communications and Special Events Department. In August of 2007, Mr. Alonso became an assistant to City of Hialeah Mayor, Julio Robaina. Appointed to the Miami-Dade Sports Commission in January of 2007, Mr. Alonso holds Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida International University. <top of page>
Mark is an active coach in baseball and basketball in the Howards Palmetto Baseball Softball Association, Beth Am Basketball League, YMCA league and Danny Berry travel baseball league. He is also a member of the Coral Reef Yacht Club and active sailor in local regattas. Mark obtained his undergraduate degree in business from Florida State University and his law degree from Rutgers University. Mark is married to Laurel (Clancy) Auerbacher and has three children, Brendan, Nicholas, and Macy. <top of page>
Chairman Cypress works with other tribal and community leaders in the continuous pursuit of economic self-sufficiency and self-determination and to protect and preserve the resources of the Tribe, especially their Everglades homeland and their cultural identity. In this regard, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the United South and Eastern Tribes since 1972. He has been publicly recognized for his leadership capacity. Former Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, commended his dedicated service to the Florida Governor’s Council on Indian Affairs and in 2002, Chairman Cypress was named “Indian Leader of the Year” by the National Indian Business Association. Chairman Cypress’ contribution to development and community relations extends beyond the boundaries of Native American issues. His commitment is evident in the areas of education, health and the economy. In 2005, Chairman Cypress received the President’s Medal from the University of Miami for his contributions and service to South Florida. Additionally, he was recognized by the American Cancer Society’s - Dade Unit and for contributions to relief efforts for Hurricanes Katrina and Charley. As Chairman of the Miccosukee Indian Tribe, he has dedicated his life to improving the prosperity of his people and preserving the Everglades. His belief is that “The Everglades is our mother, we must all work together to save her”. <top of page>
Mr. Fertel is a partner at the firm, and heads the state court civil litigation division. In addition, he focuses his practice on sports, entertainment and family law, as well as commercial litigation and personal injury. Mr. Fertel spent 18 years at Ferrell Law, once know as Ferrell Fertel, where he chaired the Entertainment and Sports Law division as well as the Family Law division. He has tried more than 100 jury and non-jury trials, obtaining numerous multi-million dollar verdicts. His long list of clients includes athletes and entertainers, as well as agents, models, leagues, radio stations and other similar entities. Fertel has represented Florida’s number one rated sports station, WQAM and in that capacity has negotiated with the Florida Marlins, the Florida Panthers, the Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami Hurricanes. In 1998, Flynn was named Director of Marketing and Sales for SMG, the management company for the Ice Palace, the home of the Lightning and the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm. Later as Vice President of Marketing for the Lightning, he helped the Club to increase attendance more than 20 percent in each of his three years. Flynn spent two full seasons (1996-1998) as the Director of Marketing and Sales for the United Soccer League, a 100-plus team minor league system for soccer in North America, based in Tampa. He also served as the Assistant Director of Marketing and Sales for the South Florida Olympic Committee from 1995-1996 and was a Marketing and Event Coordinator for Anheuser-Busch in Miami, from 1994-1995. Flynn graduated from St. Thomas University in 1995 with a Master’s in sports administration and completed his undergraduate work in accounting at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas. He was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo. He, his wife, Kristie, and two sons, Liam (6) and Jack (5), currently reside in Coconut Grove, Fla. <top of page>
In his role as Homestead-Miami Speedway president, Gray works closely and has developed relationships with some of the industry’s most legendary names: Dale Earnhardt Sr., Richard Petty, Jeff Gordon, Mike Helton, Rick Hendrick, the France and Penske families, and countless other drivers, team owners, track presidents and corporate executives. As Director of the Winston Cup series, Gray was charged with introducing NASCAR to a national audience extending beyond the sport’s traditional Southeastern roots. Key to the effort: an eventual four-time Cup champion hailing from California. Indeed, Gray’s tenure with Winston Cup was highlighted by NASCAR’s expansion (via new tracks) into the less-traditional motorsports regions of Chicago, Los Angeles and Dallas. Through campaigns like the “Winston Million”—among the first big-money promotions in all of sports—Gray not only helped launch NASCAR’s unparalleled success, but he also played a role in pioneering and defining what we today know as the industry of “sports marketing.” Throughout his extensive career, Gray has directed and promoted all types of racing in South Florida, including: NASCAR, IndyCar, Grand Am Sports Cars, motorcycle racing, and both regional and national karting circuits. <top of page>
Winner of the 1991 Heisman Trophy, Howard’s acrobatic catches made him one of the most electrifying players ever to play the college game. He became the first receiver in Big Ten history to lead the conference in scoring as he set or tied five NCAA records and 12 single-season Michigan records. The All-American won the Heisman by the second largest margin of victory in the trophy’s history. He was also awarded the Walter Camp Trophy and the Maxwell Award that year. Desmond Howard, selected by the Washington Redskins, was the fourth overall pick of the 1992 NFL draft. He went on to have an 11-year pro football career highlighted by such memorable moments as scoring the first game winning touchdown in Jacksonville Jaguars history and becoming the first special teams player to be named Most Valuable Player of the Super Bowl as a member of the Green Bay Packers. His 870 punt return yards in a single season and 99-yard kickoff return in a Super Bowl remain NFL records. Howard was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2000 while playing with the Detroit Lions. Howard resides in Miami, Florida with his wife Rebkah, daughter Sydney and twin boys Desmond Jr. and Dhamir. <top of page>
In 1995, he became involved in youth baseball at Tamiami Park. He began as a coach, and two years later joined the league as Assistant Commissioner. He worked with young baseball athletes teaching the different aspects and skills of the game. In 2004, Quintero was elected by the Tamiami Park Youth Association as Vice-President. Since that time, the Tamiami Park Youth Baseball League has become the largest league, in the Southeast portion of the USA, affiliated with the National Pony Baseball League. On January 13, 2007, Quintero was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation for his work and contribution to Youth Baseball from Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, as well as an award from Manuel Marroño, Mayor of Sweetwater. He immensely enjoys his work with the local youth baseball community and is active in promoting team sport and the importance of a healthy environment for the growth and development of our local children. Quintero is married with three children, two daughters, a son, and is a proud grandparent to one grandson. <top of page>
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