Stepping into City Hall in the new year, Miami Mayor-Elect Eileen Higgins last week announced her chief of staff and a transition team of civic, business and community leaders to help guide her first 100 days in office. The team, unveiled Dec. 12, will be led by Maggie Fernandez, a local government official who has worked closely with Ms. Higgins for years. It also includes experts from healthcare, urban planning, business, philanthropy and civic organizations who will help set the administration’s early policy priorities. In the Dec. 9 runoff, Ms. Higgins defeated former Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez with 59% of the vote, ending a 28-year Democratic drought in the mayor’s office and marking the first time a woman will hold the position. First-time District Three Commissioner Rolando Escalona also won his runoff race, securing 53% of the vote against former Commissioner Frank Carollo. Ms. Fernandez, born and raised in Miami, brings 28 years of government and policy experience to her new role. She previously was Ms. Higgins’ chief of staff on the Miami-Dade County Commission, overseeing initiatives in transit, climate resilience, capital projects, small business support and constituent services. Ms. Fernandez called her new position an honor, emphasizing a commitment to ethical, effective governance that residents can see in their everyday lives. Ms. Higgins’ transition team includes: Jackson Health System President and CEO Carlos Migoya; Sant La, Haitian Neighborhood Center co-founder and Executive Director Gepsie Morisset-Metellus; business and government affairs leader Jose Bermudez; innovation and economic development executive Matt Haggman; urban planning and public transit leader Marta Viciedo; public policy and civic strategy leader Michele Burger; Miami Foundation President and CEO Rebecca Fishman Lipsey; government scholar Terry Murphy, Ph.D.; and community and youth development leader Tina Brown.  “This transition team reflects the best of Miami – community builders, problem-solvers and leaders who know our neighborhoods and care deeply about our city’s future. Together, we will prepare a bold, practical agenda for my first 100 days focused on affordability, public safety, resilient infrastructure and a government that is transparent, ethical and responsive,” said Ms. Higgins. During her campaign, Ms. Higgins emphasized restoring public trust, improving affordable housing, modernizing infrastructure and promoting climate resilience. She pledged to cut red tape, strengthen public safety, expand city commission representation and ensure Miami government serves all residents. “From day one, my focus as mayor is simple: get City Hall working for the people of Miami,” Ms. Higgins said. Mr. Escalona, general manager of Brickell restaurant Sexy Fish who also holds a real estate broker’s license, will represent District Three, which spans Little Havana, East Shenandoah, West Brickell and parts of Silver Bluff and The Roads. The 34-year-old first-time candidate ran on improving public safety, supporting economic development, enhancing communities, expanding affordable housing, modernizing transit and advocating for fiscal responsibility. Ms. Higgins is to be installed as mayor at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 18 in the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus Auditorium, 300 NE Second Ave. The post Mayor Eileen Higgins brings in expert transition team appeared first on Miami Today. ...read more read less