Volume 8 Leadership Edition Alyssa Walke - Blyss Beauty | Page 41

MAYOR JERRY

DEMINGS

ayor Jerry L . Demings was sworn in on Dec . 4 , 2018 as the 5th elected Mayor of Orange County and is the first African-American to serve in the role . He oversees more than 8,000 Orange County employees and a $ 4.9 billion budget as the County ’ s chief executive officer . He says that his goal is to make Orange County the “ Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow ” by creating a community culture of innovation , collaboration and inclusiveness .
Always a trailblazer , Mayor Demings became Orlando ’ s first African-American police chief in 1998 and was elected the first African-American Orange County Sheriff in 2008 . He was reelected in 2012 and again in 2016 .
A lifelong public servant , Mayor Demings is a graduate of Jones High School and holds a bachelor ’ s degree in finance from Florida State University and a master ’ s of business administration from Orlando College . He graduated Magna Cum Laude .
He is a graduate of the 194th session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ’ s National Academy and studied at Harvard University ’ s John F . Kennedy School of Government .
Mayor Demings currently serves on several regional boards of directors , including the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority , Central Florida Expressway Authority , Metroplan Orlando , Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority / Lynx , Dr . Phillips Performing Arts Center , Orange County Tourist Development Council , Orlando Economic Partnership and he is involved in numerous civic organizations . He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity , Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and is a steward at Saint Mark AME Church in Orlando . Mayor Demings has a passion for working with organizations that support children and volunteers with several non-profit agencies .
As Orange County grows , Mayor Demings will prioritize transit solutions , high-quality and affordable housing and goodpaying jobs for all residents .
What makes you the Ideal Candidate ? I am a native Orange County resident and have served this community as a public servant for 41 years in high profile and high impact roles and I am the only candidate with Orange County Government experience .
What is the passion behind your campaign ? I am a lifelong resident who loves my community and believes that to whom much is given , much is required . I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of those who cannot do for themselves .
What is your vision as an elected official ? My vision is to make Orange County the “ Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow ” envisioned by Walt Disney . I see the world through the lens of innovation , collaboration , equity and inclusion .
What challenges did you overcome to be where you are today ? I grew up poor , Black and in the south as a child of blue-collar workers and was the first person of color to hold several titles , namely : Orlando Police Chief , Orange County Director of Public Safety , Orange County Sheriff and Orange County Mayor .
What are some of the current issues you feel passionate about ? I am passionate about addressing the housing affordability crisis , creating a dedicated funding source for a true multimodal transportation system , addressing access to treatment for the mental ill , as well as those who suffer from drug addiction and behavioral disorders . Lastly , I am concerned about escalating partisan political tensions that are dividing our nation . I choose to be a unifier and problem solver who happens to also be an innovative disruptor who gets things done ! n
Paid for and approved by the Jerry Demings Campaign for Orange County Mayor non-partisan .
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