FEBRUARY 202619GOV BUSINESS REVIEWprotected, and clarity was restored for staff and partners. The experience reinforced how steady leadership and transparent communication matter most when decisions must be made quickly.The Three Pillars to Lead By: Data, Discipline and a Culture of People DevelopmentEffective city leadership operates at the intersection of clarity, execution and trust. My leadership philosophy is grounded in data, operational discipline and people development. Overseeing functions ranging from Planning and Zoning to Finance, Economic Development and HR has reinforced that performance improves when metrics are tied directly to the mission. Teams perform best when expectations are clear, KPIs are meaningful and decisions are guided by measurable outcomes rather than instinct. Equally important is investing in people. I prioritize training, coaching and defined career pathways so that employees can grow alongside the organization. By pairing disciplined performance management with mentorship and accountability, I have led departments that meet deadlines, maintain audit integrity, reduce processing times and raise service standards across the city. Accountable Creativity: Innovation Backed by MetricsI believe innovation without discipline is simply experimentation, which is why I encourage new approaches only when creativity is grounded in performance metrics, legal parameters and resident experience.This standard has guided process improvements that reduced permitting turnaround times, modernized procurement workflows and strengthened the accuracy of financial reporting. It has also shaped how we approach major development negotiations, including projects that bring high-skilled jobs and international corporate presence to Miramar. By holding innovation to measurable outcomes such as cost savings, faster processing, stronger compliance and greater transparency, we create a culture where creativity is expected, accountable and mission aligned.In the Building Division, I oversaw the implementation of a virtual queuing system in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure uninterrupted public access to permitting services. The solution has since been institutionalized, delivering sustained process efficiency, improved customer experience and more predictable workload management. In Finance, we introduced an after-hours payment kiosk that allows immediate water bill payments, replacing a drop box that caused delays. In addition, we executed a contract with Publix that allows residents to pay their water bill while shopping for groceries at Publix locations within the City limits. These are practical examples of innovation earning its place through results.The Demands of Tomorrow: Agility, Intelligence and a Workforce Ready for ChangeI anticipate major shifts in how municipalities manage infrastructure, strengthen their workforce and use data to shape decisions. Leaders will need to prepare for pressures across city operations, including:· Integration of smart infrastructure and AI-supported workflows· Growing pressure to address housing affordability and diversify housing stock· Increased emphasis on economic resilience and industry diversification· The need to modernize permitting, inspections and development services· Workforce transitions, including recruitment, upskilling and retirements· Rising service expectations amid constrained revenue sourcesAI will play a central role in plan review, where faster turnaround directly supports business activity and local economic growth. Policy work is evolving as well, with AI-enabled copilots drawing from budgets, ordinances, codes and financial records to draft policies that respect precedent, reflect best practices and uphold transparency and fiscal responsibility. To succeed, cities must strengthen financial resilience, modernize service models and prepare their workforce for continual change. Wisdom from Experience: Practical Habits that Anchor Effective Public LeadershipA career in public administration grows over time, shaped by the lessons you absorb, the people you learn from and the responsibility you are trusted to carry. I offer a few practical habits that helped me along the way, which can also help aspiring leaders stay grounded and effective:· Master the fundamentals: Learn budgeting, procurement, land use, HR and public policy, the pillars of government operations· Build cross-departmental knowledge: The best administrators understand how every unit contributes to the whole· Stay close to community impact: Data matters, but so do people. See the human outcomes behind the metrics· Join professional associations: Organizations such as ICMA, ASPA, FCCMA and GFOA shaped my journey and expanded my network· Seek stretch assignments: Growth happens when you step into complex, ambiguous and high-stakes projects that demand strategic thinkingPublic administration is a long-term leadership craft. Be innovative, be patient, stay curious and stay committed to service. That is how I show up each day, and it is the vision I hope my peers embrace as they shape the future of public service.
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