Deputy mayor to speak at NMA Housing Conference

2015 NMA and GoSection8 Housing Conference

Welcome from Mr. Russell Benford, Deputy Mayor of Miami-Dade County

Russell Benford serves as Deputy Mayor of Miami-Dade County, the largest county in the State of Florida and the eighth largest in the United States. He will address NMA Housing Conference attendees Monday, October 5, at the opening breakfast.

Mr. Benford uses his knowledge of growth management, capital planning and economic development to provide direct oversight to the Community Action and Human Services, Corrections, Fire, Juvenile Services, Medical Examiner, Police and Public Housing and Community Development departments.  Additionally, he serves as a liaison to the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust, Homeless Trust, and CareerSource South Florida.

Mr. Benford serves on the Board of Directors of the CAA Advisory Board, Miami-Dade Zoo Oversight Board, United Way, Miami Children’s Initiative, Early Learning Coalition, and the Youth Crime Task Force.

Russell is also actively involved in community organizations including 100 Black Men of South Florida and 5000 Role Models of Excellence.  He has recently been honored as a 2014 Community Pillar for his support of programs which positively impact the community and his commitment to public service.

Mr. Benford’s professional experience includes 20 years in government, having held positions as City Manager of North Miami from 2010-2011, the City Manager of West Park (in Broward County, Florida) from 2005-2010 and the Village Manager of Hawthorn Woods (Illinois) from 2000-2005. Prior to that, he has a background in Planning and Neighborhood Services with the City of Plano, Texas.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College (Ohio), and a Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin, where he concentrated in Public Administration and Management and was named a Woodrow Wilson Public Policy and International Studies Fellow.

The conference will spotlight three tracks this year: an executive track, a regulatory track, and a hands-on track. Go here to view a list of the session descriptions that have been published so far. Register online or email sales@nanmckay.com for more information.