Carlos Valdes’ career encompasses an array of political, professional and civic activities characterized by an unfaltering determination to improve the quality of life of his local constituency and promote Florida’s economic wellbeing. His landmark accomplishment in repealing Florida’s sentencing guidelines and replacing them with the Florida Criminal Punishment Code, as well as his continuing efforts to ensure public safety, elicited warm praise from the State Attorney’s Office, the Florida Police Chiefs Association, and the Florida Sheriffs Association. Recognized as Legislator of the Year regularly throughout his political career by diverse community groups, Valdes is currently spearheading efforts to expand Florida’s role in hemispheric trade through dynamic public/private partnerships.
POLITICAL SERVICE
Vice-Chairman, Florida Legislative Task Force on Illicit Money Laundering
Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in November 1988 Republican Floor Leader from 1992 to 1994
Republican Whip from 1994 to 1996
Chairman of the Business Development and International Trade Committee Chairman of the Drug and Alcohol Enforcement Subcommittee
Chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee
Chairman of the Cuban-American Caucus
Vice Chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee
Member of the Economic Impact Council, Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations, and Law Enforcement and Public Safety Committees
Served on the Board of Directors of Enterprise Florida, an innovative public/private organization that replaced Florida’s Department of Commerce in the mid 1990s
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Chairman,, Florida Real Estate Commission (2000-2004)
A licensed real estate and mortgage broker, Valdes is President of Trust Realty, Inc. and is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, and other industry organizations.
Earlier achievements in the industry include service as President of the Board of REALTOR; Chairman of the Real Estate Action Council of Dade , an umbrella group coordinating the activities of the six Board of Realtors in Dade County; and Graduate Realtors Institute designation from the Florida Realtors Institute. He is also a former Director of the Florida Association of Realtors.
CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Vice President – South Florida Epilepsy Foundation
Director – Community Housing Resource Board
Consultant – Junior Achievement Program
Advisor – Human Rights Commission of the Cuban Municipalities in Exile Member – Committee of Honor, Art Museum of Florida International University Honorary President – Association of Bilingual Private Schools
Member – Board of Directors, International Press Center
As a legislator, Representative Valdes sponsored annual events whose proceeds funded scholarships for minority business students at Miami-Dade Community College, Broward Community College, and Florida International University. He addressed issues of concerns to the community through a weekly column published in the Spanish language newspaper, Diario Las Americas, and weekly radio and television commentaries on local stations. He also hosted a weekly television show: Vision 2000.
PARTY SUPPORT
A longtime member of the Republican Party, Carlos Valdes has held various local and state offices:
At-large member – Florida Republican Party Executive Committee
Elected Member – Board of Directors, Republican Party of Dade County Co-Chairman, Political Education Committee
Member – Republican Speakers Association, Republican National Committee
AWARDS AND HONORS
1999 – Miami Dade Police Legislative Award
1998 – Florida Sheriffs Association Legislative Award
1998 – Legislative Leadership Award, Vietnam Veterans of America
1998 – Legislator of the Year, Student Government Council, Florida International University
1998 – Guardian of Small Business Award, National Federation of Independent Businesses – Florida
1997 – Metro-Dade Police, Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Maritime Industry
1997 – Outstanding Commitment to Public School Education, Miami-Dade County Public Schools 1996 – Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association
1995 – Florida Restaurant Association, Florida Sheriffs Association
1995 – Legislative Award, Florida Sheriffs Association
1994 – Epilepsy Foundation, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD)
1994 – Legislative Award, National Federation of Independent Businesses
1993 – National Republican Legislators Association
1993 – Government Hispanic Advocate of the Year, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
1986 – Outstanding Young Man of America Award, Jaycees
1984 – Realtor of the Year, Board of Realtors
Annual recognition for perfect voting record in protection of free enterprise – Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Latin Chamber of
Commerce.
Listed in “Who’s Who in Florida’s Latin Community” and “Who’s Who among Hispanic Americans.”