Comm. Lesley "Les" Miller Named New HART Board Chairperson

Commissioner "Les" Miller named HART Board Chair

At its January 9 meeting, the HART Board of Directors elected Hillsborough County Commissioner Lesley "Les" Miller as the new Chairperson for the year 2017, succeeding Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez.

"I am honored to be chosen by my peers to lead an agency that is dedicated to enhancing transportation services in Hillsborough County," Miller said. "I'm looking forward to serving as chairperson on the HART Board of Directors and will continue our initiatives to improve mobility for all who live, work and visit this county. HART is transforming transportation in the Tampa Bay area."

Other officers elected were Karen Jaroch as Vice Chairperson, Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez as Secretary.

"I am very excited about this new Board leadership. All of the new officers have made many contributions to the success of HART and public transportation in Hillsborough County," said Katharine Eagan, HART Chief Executive Officer. "Their leadership within the HART Board of Directors will continue to be key to delivering the kind of high-quality public transportation customers rely on every day, and continue to better address current and future transportation needs in the Tampa Bay Area."

Commissioner Les Miller was elected to represent District 3 in 2010. Miller previously served as a member of the Florida Senate from 2000-2006 and a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1992-2000. During his time in the Florida Legislature, he served as the Minority Leader for both the House and the Senate. He also was appointed to the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission from 2007-2008 and as a member of the Florida Board of Regents from 1977-1979. Miller also previously served as Associate Vice President and Dean for Students for the University of South Florida, and as the manager of Minority Business Development and Governmental Relations for Tampa General Hospital. Commissioner Miller was appointed to the HART Board of Directors on on July 30, 2014.

The HART officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and can serve up three consecutive terms. Commissioner Les Miller and the new officers assumed office as of January 9, 2017.

Councilman Mike Suarez Elected as HART Board Chair

Councilman Mike Suarez

During its regular meeting today, the HART Board elected Councilman Mike Suarez as Chair, Steve Polzin, PhD, was re-elected Vice Chairman and Temple Terrace Councilman Eddie Vance as Secretary of the HART Board of Directors for 2014.      

"It is a great privilege to be elected as HART Board Chairman and continue working alongside the dedicated Board members to serve our customers, employees and the community." Said Chairman Councilman Mike Suarez after the vote. "I look forward to working together to operate a safe, reliable, efficient and fiscally sound transit system that contributes to the economic success and quality of life of this region and Hillsborough County."

Councilman Suarez has been a Board member since April 2011 and has served as HART Board Secretary since 2012. Councilman Suarez is a third generation resident of Tampa, with deep roots in West Tampa. 

He has provided service to many government and non-profit agencies, including his current term as District 1 At-Large Tampa City Council, President of the Guardian Ad Litem Guild (renamed Voices for Children), served on the subcommittee for Urban Enterprises Initiatives and was Chairman of the Water Resource subcommittee for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. He has also been a Board Member and past President of the Insurance Agents of Greater Tampa, a Board member of the Centro Asturiano de Tampa and a Board member of the Macfarlane Park PTA. 

Councilman Suarez has been married for 20 years to Laura Ankenbruck and they have three sons, Vincent, Anthony and Nicholas.    

The HART Board is responsible for setting policy and making decisions for the Authority on matters ranging from system operations, service planning, fare structure, finance, customer service, and is made up of 13 volunteers who are appointed to represent Hillsborough County (seven seats), City of Tampa (three seats), State of Florida (two seats) and City of Temple Terrace (one seat). Officers of the HART Board (chair, vice chair and secretary) are elected every year.