Mayor Don Slesnick II has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts and dedication to the Coral Gables community and Florida, by being honored with the 2018 Leadership Florida® Distinguished Member Award at the group’s Annual Meeting. This award is presented to a Leadership Florida member whose leadership activities and exemplary character illustrate the highest standards of the organization, and whose activities garner results and leave a lasting impact on the state of Florida.
“Don Slesnick’s leadership epitomizes the highest standards of Leadership Florida and his activities continue to achieve results of statewide influence,” said Xavier Gonzalez, who nominated him for the award. Along with serving his community, state and country in various leadership positions, Don most recently completed a year as Chair of the Orange Bowl Committee. His chairmanship resulted in many achievements, which will leave a permanent mark on the South Florida community, including a full slate of events, highlighted by the 84th Capital One Orange Bowl on December 30, 2017. The Orange Bowl invests nearly $1 million in the South Florida community on an annual basis, funding a variety of community events, academic programs, scholarships and youth sports programs and initiatives; including the Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance, the “Drive for Excellence” girls’ golf program in conjunction with the First Tee Miami.
Other achievements include serving as:
- Mayor of the City of Coral Gables from 2001-2011
- The 2009-2010 President of the Florida League of Mayors
- Chairman of the Florida Bar Labor & Employment Law Section
- Co-Chairman of the American Bar Association (ABA) State and Local Government Bargaining and Employment Law Committee
- A member of the ABA House of Delegates and Vice Chair of the ABA Section of Labor & Employment Law
- Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Council; Chairman of the Dade Cultural Alliance; President of the Two Hundred Club of Greater Miami and President of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation
He is currently on the Board of the Florida State University LeRoy Collins Institute, a member of the University of Florida’s Historic St. Augustine Board and was recently appointed by the Secretary of State to the Friends of Florida History Board of Directors.
Leadership Florida is proud to honor Mayor Don Slesnick II as its Distinguished Member.
To download a photograph of Mayor Don Slesnick II accepting the award and find out more about Leadership Florida visit: leadershipflorida.org.
About Leadership Florida
For thirty-six years, Leadership Florida has developed a reputation as a builder of a stronger, diverse statewide sense of community. A respected non-partisan convener of committed individuals, Leadership Florida enhances the knowledge and leadership abilities of Florida’s leaders through educational programs and by encouraging collaborative work for the betterment of our state. Leadership Florida provides Floridians essential information and a meaningful forum for their opinions, and creates opportunities for shared experiences that are inviting, inspiring and of lasting value. Leadership Florida is a federally registered trademark.
