Maurice Ferre
Civic Leader / Former Mayor
Miami Connection
As mayor, Ferré guided Miami's transformative growth by expanding the port, welcoming Cuban immigrants, and promoting it as the 'gateway to South America,' laying the foundation for its status as an international hub. He advanced desegregation by appointing the city's first Black city attorney, manager, and police chiefs, fostering inclusivity amid riots and migration. His visionary leadership diversified Miami, making it more embracing of global communities and elevating it to a world-class city.
About
Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1935, Maurice Ferré graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Architectural Engineering and began his political career as a Florida State Representative in 1966, followed by service on the Miami City Commission. Elected as Miami's 37th mayor in 1973, he led the city through profound growth, race riots, and demographic shifts driven by Cuban refugees, winning re-election five times. His deep Miami connection stems from his education at UM, family ties including the Antonio Ferré Building on campus, and lifelong civic leadership. After his mayoral tenure, he served as a Miami-Dade commissioner in the 1990s, chaired the Health Policy Authority in 2000-2002, and was a member of the Expressway Authority until 2010. Later roles included business consulting as a director in family corporations across Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Florida. An institute named after him at Florida International University honors his civic legacy.