Biographical Information
City of Residence: Hialeah
Occupation: Public School Teacher; Education Consultant; Vice President - Tim Hodgins Landscaping
Child(ren): Jaclyn, Christina, Rafael Anthony, Katherine, Sarah Michelle
Education: Miami-Dade Community College, A.A., 1981; Florida International University, B.S., Social Studies Education, 1985
Born: March 26, 1960, Oriente
Moved to Florida: 1966
Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic
Recreational Interest: Reading, weight lifting
Legislative Service
Elected to the House in 2000, reelected subsequently
Other Public Services
Doral Community Council, Chairman 1997-2000
Miami International Trade Board 1997-1999
Miami City-Wide Community Development Advisory Board 1998
Boys and Girls Club of Miami, Board Member
Affiliations
Top Performance Seminars for At-Risk Youth 1994-1997
U.S. Department of Justice Anti-Drug Youth Camps 1994-1999
Miami Senior High School, Head Football Coach 1985-1990
Highlights
Helped establish the Ryder Charter Elementary School, the first charter school in an American workplace
Was instrumental in promoting the economic development and growth of the Doral Area, widely recognized as one of Florida's most vibrant business communities
Led passage of House Bill 1103: "Teacher Quality"
Sponsored House Bill 1689, which promotes statewide teacher recruitment efforts
Sponsored House Bill 1361, the "Charter School Bill," allowing for more options in converting local public schools into charter schools and establishing MAGNET charter schools
Cosponsored and passed legislation requiring all 67 school districts to undergo a financial audit every five years
Has helped secure funding for New World School of the Arts in Miami-Dade County, teacher retention bonuses, brain and spinal cord injury research, and the City of Hialeah Gardens Storm Water Project
Appointed by Governor Bush as Florida's Liaison to the Southern Regional Education Board in 2002
Appointed to the Executive Committee of the Southern Regional Education Board in 2003
Appointed to the Conference of State Legislatures' Committee on Education by Speaker Johnnie Byrd in 2003