Jimmy Morales
Chief Operating Officer
Miami Connection
Morales has spearheaded a $9 billion capital improvement program at Miami International Airport, a $1.7 billion Water and Sewer initiative, and secured a $117 million naming rights deal for Kaseya Center, alongside leading Surfside collapse recovery and public transit expansion. He negotiated county control over Fisher Island fuel farms to safeguard PortMiami's economy and is advancing a new waste-to-energy facility and zero-waste strategy. His efforts have attracted over $1 billion in grant funding for infrastructure, addressing traffic and housing challenges central to Miami-Dade.
About
Miami Beach native Jimmy Morales graduated magna cum laude from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, beginning his career as a law clerk and international corporate attorney before returning to South Florida public service. He served as City Attorney for Doral and Marathon, Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 7, and City Manager of Miami Beach for eight years, leading projects like the $620 million Convention Center renovation and responses to Hurricane Irma and COVID-19. Appointed Chief Operating Officer for Miami-Dade County by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in December 2020, he now oversees Aviation, Seaport, Transportation, Public Works, Housing and Community Development, Cultural Affairs, and Libraries. A Coral Gables resident since 1999, Morales chairs the Mayor’s Infrastructure Group and has earned awards like 2024 Public Administrator of the Year.