(Miami, FL) Miami Mayor Manny Diaz today announced the departure of his Chief of Staff, Suzanna Valdez, who will be joining the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County as Vice President of Advancement. She will be replaced by Javier Fernandez, who previously served in this capacity.

"Suzanna's extensive experience and deep commitment to public service has been instrumental in advancing key policy initiatives for the city as well as advancing the urban and environmental goals of my administration," said Mayor Diaz. He added that "while I'm delighted that she will continue working to develop our community's arts and culture agenda at the Arsht Center, she will be greatly missed at City Hall."

The return of Javier Fernandez to City Hall, provides an experienced hand in managing the staff through the remainder of the Mayor Diaz's term. "I'm delighted to welcome Javier back to City Hall and look forward to his contribution in completing the ambitious agenda I have set out for the remainder of my term, in addition to other pressing matters of great importance to our residents.”

Valdez has served as the Mayor’s Chief of Staff since February 2007.

“I would like to thank Mayor Diaz for the opportunity to serve the residents of the City of Miami. His tireless work ethic has set the bar high for future mayors and has gone a long way in building and strengthening the public trust in Miami City Hall,” said Valdez.

Fernandez previously served in the City of Miami in a variety of capacities from December 2001 to December 2004. His tenure in the City of Miami culminated with his appointment as interim Chief of Staff for Mayor Diaz from August to December of 2004.

“It is an honor to rejoin the Mayor at the close of a very successful administration.  I look forward to aiding him and the incoming administration during this important transition for the City of Miami,” said Fernandez.

Fernandez, a Law Clerk in the Land Use practice group at Akerman Senterfitt since 2007, holds a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law and a B.A. in Government & Spanish from Colby College, where he was awarded the Ralph J. Bunch Scholarship.  In addition, he has completed the Senior Executives in State & Local Government program at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government & was named a Center for Urban Redevelopment Excellence (CUREx) Fellow for 2005-2006.

Fernandez will join the Mayor’s Office on August 24.