FT. LAUDERDALE, FL, September 17, 2012 – Becker & Poliakoff today announced that Leadership Florida has selected the firm’s COO George Burgess as a member of its 31st Annual Class Program.
Mr. Burgess was chosen from among many outstanding leaders from throughout Florida to participate in the annual program, which is designed to enhance the knowledge and leadership abilities of Florida’s leaders through educational programs and by encouraging collaborative work for the betterment of the state. Participants must be a graduate of a local leadership program and have demonstrated strong community involvement.
To date, more than 1,500 men and women have graduated from the Leadership Florida program. Collectively, members of Leadership Florida serve on more than 5,000 corporate and non-profit boards throughout the state, providing key leadership in their local communities and in the state.
Mr. Burgess leads and supervises the firm’s administrative, management and operational strategy and structure, including IT, human resources, administrative and financial functions. He is also a vice chair of the firm’s Public Private Partnership Practice Team. The new practice team assists companies businesses seeking business opportunities that exists today as a result of continued downward pressure on government budgets combined with mounting needs for improvements to roads, sewes, schools and other public assets.
Mr. Burgess joined Becker & Poliakoff after a 28-year career in Miami-Dade County government, where he served in numerous leadership capacities, including Budget Director and Assistant County Manager. As County Manager for eight years, he held the highest executive position in one of the largest and most complex metropolitan regional governments in the United States.
Prior to his appointment as County Manager, Mr. Burgess held senior roles with both the County and Miami-Dade Public Schools. As Chief Financial Officer for the school system from 2002 to 2003, Burgess was responsible for all budgetary, financial, procurement and risk management functions for the fourth-largest school district in the United States. As Assistant County Manager he oversaw all financial procurement, strategic planning, budgetary and performance improvement functions for Miami-Dade County.
Mr. Burgess holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in public administration from the University of Maine. In 2007, he received the Distinguished Public Service Practitioner Award from the American Society for Public Administrators Southeast Conference.
About Leadership Florida®
For thirty 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.
About Becker & Poliakoff
Becker & Poliakoff is a diverse commercial law firm with more than 145 attorneys and lobbyists in a total of 15 domestic and international offices. Celebrating its fortieth (40th) year of serving clients, the firm has seven primary areas of practice: Real Estate, Construction Law & Litigation, Community Association, Customs & International Trade, Business Litigation, Corporate & Securities, and Government Law & Lobbying.