Overview
José has a strong network of contacts and over 40 years of experience working in government and politics. He is a government relations professional who represents public and private sector clients in environmental, public safety, infrastructure, health care, engineering, construction, food services and water resources.
Clients include the City of Miami, City of Homestead, Village of Pinecrest, City of South Miami, Village of Virginia Gardens, City of North Miami Beach, City of Sweetwater, City of Miami Springs and Town of Medley. In the private sector, he represents Brown & Caldwell, Sound Thinking, NV2A, Aetna CVS, Motorola Solutions, Moffatt & Nichol, TYLin Group, Yunex, American Transportation, T-Mobile, ProKel Mobility, Tetra Tech, Introba and Mitsubishi.
His extensive lobbying experience at the highest level of local, county and state has helped him contribute to the passage of numerous legislation. He has also secured funding for the municipalities he represents through the allocation of major infrastructure projects funding. During his time as director of the South Florida Water Management District, Regional Office, Mr. Fuentes was instrumental in securing funds for key water projects in Miami-Dade County.
He has successfully worked with his clients on various Procurement/Business/Community pursuits:
- Automated Traffic Management System for 2,900 Intersections in Miami-Dade County for Siemens (valued at over $150 million)
- Public service communication (APX Radios) Motorola Solutions (valued at over $133.4 million)
- Annexation approval of an area in west Miami-Dade County for City of Sweetwater
- Secured more than $10 million for a senior citizen housing grant
- General Aeronautical Service contract at Miami Airport for Grupo Eulen
- Successfully helped guide the process to build and operate a Charter School in a local government
- Successfully lobbied for the Medley Annexation thru the Miami-Dade County Board
- Successfully represented Sound Thinking Gun shot detection
- Brought Ozinga Concrete & Aggregates to Port Palm Beach
- NV2A Group $93M contract under a bid waiver for the design-build (The Underline)
- Lobbied for Asian American Pacific Islander History Legislation for K-12 in Florida schools
- Assisted in bringing over $500 million for stormwater drainage to mitigate flooding in SW Miami-Dade County
Mr. Fuentes’ family background is distinctly unique, he is of Cuban and Japanese descent. His mother and grandparents were interned in the Gila River Camps and his Grandfather was interned at Crystal City in Texas during WWII, a topic which he speaks to.
Mr. Fuentes is an avid marathoner, having participated in over 37 marathons, 39 half marathons and many other races. He has run all 21 Miami Marathons since its inception.
He is an alumnus of St. Thomas University in Miami (Coca Cola Scholarship recipient) and attended Miami Dade College. Mr. Fuentes is the proud father of Christina Fuentes Duarte and a resident of Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood.
RECOGNITION
Recently Jose was honored the “Effective Leadership Award” from the Latino Center on Aging. In his career, he has received numerous other awards such as, LABA (Latin American Business Association) as Lobbyist of Year. Additionally, International Governmental Relations Award by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, selected Novo Award Finalist by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Diabetes Association with the “Valor Award” for community service and the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with the “Annual Sunshine Award” as Public Official of the Year. He is included in Who’s Who of Asian Americans and has been featured on numerous occasions in The Miami Herald for his devotion to community service.
Insights & News
- 04.14.2025
- Client Advisory
- 04.07.2025
- Client Advisory
- 03.31.2025
- Client Advisory
- 03.24.2025
- Client Advisory
- 03.17.2025
- Client Advisory
