Omar Franco, Board Member At-Large
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Omar Franco Senior Vice President, Petrizzo Strategic Group Prior to joining Petrizzo Strategic Group, Inc, Omar worked for U.S. Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart as his Chief of Staff in Washington, D.C where he has held this position for four years. In addition to managing Congressman Diaz-Balart’s Washington D.C. and District operations, Omar closely counseled the Congressman in his areas of expertise which includes federal appropriations, health care, higher education and issues dealing with the state of Florida. Omar began his government service in 1993 as the District Legislative Assistant for Florida State Representatives Art Simon and Annie Betancourt. In 1996, then State Senator Mario Diaz-Balart asked Mr. Franco to join his office as the District Senior Legislative Assistant. In 1998, Mr. Franco joined the Florida Medical Association as the Field Office Director. The following year he became the Director of Governmental Relations for the University of Miami - School of Medicine. In 2001, the University of Miami President Donna Shalala promoted him to Assistant Vice-President of Governmental Relations for the university. Mr. Franco represented the University at the federal and state levels of government. Omar has successfully managed several campaigns for state representatives in Florida and was assistant treasurer for the 2002 Mario Diaz-Balart for Congress Campaign Committee. He was also a member of the National Hispanic Working Group for the Bush/Cheney 2004 re-election campaign. Omar completed an International Import/Export Certificate in 1993 from St. Thomas University’s International Trade Institute. He has been named to the Marquis Who’s Who in America since 2002 and the Marquis Who’s Who in the World since 2004. He was a member of the Growing Healthy Task Force and the South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum in Miami. He has served as Vice-President for the Kendale Lakes Master Condominium Association Board of Directors and was also on the Board of Directors for the Kendall Federation of Homeowner Associations. He graduated from the Leadership Miami Program of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the Hispanic Leadership Training Program of the Cuban American National Council. He has been recognized for his leadership by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Florida Legal Services. Omar received his Associate in Arts in Business Administration in 1985 from Miami Dade Community College where he was named to the Talent Roster for Distinguished Academic Performance. He then completed his Bachelor of Arts in English/Business in 1988 from Florida State University. He is pursing a Masters in Political Science from Florida International University. Omar lives in Fairfax, Virginia with his wife, Audrie, and their twins, Andrew and Alyssa. |