Biographical Information
City of Residence: Miami
Occupation: Attorney, of Counsel: Adorno & Zeder, PA; Investment Banker: Douglas James Securities, Inc., 1994-1999
Child(ren): Derek L., Durel L., Michele E.
Education: U.S. Air Force Academy, B.S., Math (honors), 1977, Cadet Vice Wing Commander, academy middleweight boxing champion; University of Miami School of Law, J.D. (honors), 1987, National Student Bar Association President, Iron Arrow-highest honor, Student Bar Association President, Moot Court Board
Born: May 31, 1955, Jackson, MS
Military: United States Air Force Reserve (Lieutenant Colonel): 482nd FW Mission Support Group, Deputy Commander, 1998-present; Mission Support Squadron Commander, 1997-1998; F-16 Falcon Pilot, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, 1989-1991; Puerto Rico Air National G
Moved to Florida: 1981
Religious Affiliation: Lector and member, Christ the King Catholic Church
Recreational Interest: all sports
Legislative Service
elected to the Senate in 1992, reelected subsequently
Democratic Leader Pro Tempore, 2000-2002
Vice Chairman, Children and Families Committee, 1998-2000
Chairman, Florida Conference of Black State Legislators, 1998-2000
Democratic Senate President Designate, 1995-1996
Vice Chairman, Judiciary Committee, 1996-1998
Chairman, Community Affairs Committee, 1994
Chairman, Joint Committee on Information Technology Resources, 1993
Vice Chairman, Dade County Legislative Delegation, 1993
House of Representat
Other Public Services
Aviation Division, Assistant Dade County Attorney, 1988-1990
Federal Judicial Clerk, Judge Peter T. Fay, 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1987-1988
Affiliations
United States Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, 1996-present
member: Florida Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence Advisory Board, 1993-present
American Bankers Insurance Group Board of Directors, 1994-1999
Federal Express Orange Bowl Committee, 1990-present
American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Dade County Bar Association
Attorney/Coach, 1990 Dade County High School Mock Trial Champions, Miami Central High School
Motivational speaker at Dade County Schools
Highlights
Leadership Award, Florida Conference of Black State Legislators, 1999
W.H. Roberts Foundation, Recognition for Support of the Sickle Cell Research Fund, 1999
Appreciation Award, Community Health of South Dade, Inc., 1999
Leadership Award, Dade Association of School Administrators, Inc., 1999
Leadership Award, UTD United Caucus, 1998
Award of Appreciation, Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity, 1998
Service Award, Overtown Democratic Womens' Club, 1997
Award of Appreciation, Upper Keys Business and Professional Women's Club, 1997
Service Award, Florida State Massage Therapy Association, 1997
Award of Appreciation, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Richmond-Perrine Alumni Chapter, 1997
Flemming Fellow, Center for Policy Alternatives, Class of 1997
Award of Appreciation, United Way of Florida, 1996
Humanitarian Award, New Mt. Moriah M.B. Church, 1996
Outstanding Service Award, Dade County League of Cities, 1996
Best Local Politician, New Times, 1996
Service Award, The 100 Club of Okaloosa County, 1996
Carter G. Woodson Humanitarian Award, Postal Workers of United Community Outreach Association, 1996
St. Martin de Porress Association Peace and Unity Award, 1995
Outstanding Civic Service and Leadership, The Miami Herald Black Heritage Committee, 1995
Quality Floridian, Florida League of Cities, 1994
Most Effective Freshman Senator, ranked 3rd, Miami Herald, 1994
Peace and Justice Award in Law, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, 1994
Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry Memorial Award, 1994
Ronald McDonald House, Twelve Good Men, 1994
Outstanding Support of Black-On-Black Crime Prevention Award, Florida Consortium of Urban Leagues, 1993
Legislator of the Year, Midwives Association of Florida, 1992
Most Effective Freshman Representative, Miami Herald, 1991
First Term Legislator of the Year, Florida School Boards Association, 1991
Up and Comer Award, Government, Price Waterhouse/South Florida Magazine, 1991
Toll Fellow, Class of 1991, The Council of State Governments
Politician of the Year Award, M