Elected to the Senate in 2010, reelected subsequently

Other Public Service

Former Miami-Dade County Commissioner, elected 1993; re-elected 1996 and chosen as Chair

Tri-Rail Commuter Rail Authority Board of Directors,1993-1997; Chair, 1996

South Regional Planning Council, board member, 1994-1998

Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida, 1993-1994

Miami Dade County Public Schools Facilities and Maintenance Advisory Board, 2004-2006

Honors and Awards

Florida Trend, Legal Elite, "Government and Administrative Law Practice"

South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyers, Government and Administrative Law Practice"

Martindale-Hubbell AV Pre-Eminent Rated

Affiliations

National Rifle Association

Builders Association of South Florida, Board of Directors

American Bar Association (State and Local Government Section)

United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Supreme Court of Florida

Coral Gables Elementary PTA

Coral Gables Cultural Development Board Member

Biographical Information

Occupation- Attorney

Spouse- Mari of Miami

Children- Michael Alexander, Jon-Christian, Mary Ester

Education- University of Miami Law School, J.D., 1987

University of Miami, B.A., Cum Laude, Philosophy and English Literature,1984

Born- January 30 in Miami, Florida

Historical- Grandfather, Angel Pio de la Portilla, deceased, mentor and inspiration for social and political involvement; paternal great-grandfather served in Cuban Senate, while two of his sons served simultaneously in the Cuban House of Representatives; maternal great grandfather served as Cuban Minister of Justice (Attorney General); long family history of political and civic involvement in Cuba and the United States, including brothers Renier, former State Representative and former elected member of the Miami-Dade School Board, and Alex, former member of the Florida House of Representatives and former member of the Florida Senate - Senate Majority Leader 2008-2010.

Religious Affiliation- Christian

Recreation- Martial arts, mountain biking, hiking, reading