2007 Sessions
Carlos Alvarez, Mayor, Miami-Dade County
On November 16, 2004, Carlos Alvarez became Mayor of Miami-Dade County. After a distinguished 28-year public service career, Mr. Alvarez assumed a new level of public service, where he is ushering in a new era of integrity and accountability in local government.
Among the Mayor's accomplishments are the establishment of the Mayor's Initiative on Aging, a series of year-round educational programs and activities specifically geared for senior citizens launching in January 2006; a Mental Health Task Force, made up of criminal justice experts, mental-health advocates and others to study the best ways to improve the lives of our mentally ill; and Haitian Independence Month, which celebrates Haitian culture and the contributions of the Haitian community to Miami-Dade County in January.
Other achievements and goals include finalizing the land development and processing assessment, which will streamline the current Permitting Process to make the government more customer-friendly and efficient; holding the Urban Development Boundary where it is today to ensure future generations will have sufficient clean water, a healthy economy and social well-being; protecting the integrity of the People's Transportation Plan, so that traffic relief is realized; continuing to increase the number of passengers and companies, which use Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami; and ensuring the children of Miami-Dade County remain in school and have the fundamental skills to become lifelong learners.
Mr. Alvarez's public service career began in 1976, when he joined the Miami-Dade Police Department. He was promoted through all the civil service ranks and on March 31, 1997, he was appointed Director of the Miami-Dade Police Department. For seven years, he managed a department of more than 5,000 employees and a budget of close to half a billion dollars.
His professional affiliations include the National Association of Counties, FBI National Academy, International Association of Chiefs of Police and Florida Police Chiefs Association. He has received numerous awards during his career for his assistance and support of community and civil organizations.
Alvarez holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Florida International University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Mayor Alvarez is a native of Cuba. He arrived in the United States with his family at the age of eight. He is the father of two sons and one daughter.
