Alex Penelas
Miami Connection
As Miami-Dade Mayor from 1996-2004, Penelas shaped the fourth-largest U.S. county by advancing transit funding via a half-cent sales tax and universal pre-K education. His leadership navigated challenges like the Elian Gonzalez saga, influencing local politics and Cuban-American relations in South Florida. His ongoing real estate investments, consulting, and media presence continue to impact Miami's business and political landscape.
About
Born in Miami in 1961 to Cuban exile parents, Alex Penelas began his public service career at age 25 as Hialeah City Councilman from 1987-1990. He became the youngest Miami-Dade County Commissioner in 1990, serving until 1996, when he was elected the county's first Executive Mayor, overseeing a $6 billion budget and 2.3 million residents through 2004. His tenure focused on education, healthcare, transportation, economic development, and consensus-building across diverse stakeholders. After leaving office, he joined Univision as a political analyst, taught as a Senior Fellow at St. Thomas University, and built a successful business consulting and real estate investment practice. Penelas holds a bachelor's in political science from St. Thomas University (1981) and a law degree from the University of Miami (1985). He remains active in community service, including boards at St. Thomas University and his local parish.