Roly Marante possesses a deep understanding of Governmental Relations, Hispanic Affairs & Strategic Communication Strategies with special emphasis on the S FL marketplace, its major employers, technology, development, transportation, governmental, economic development and tourism agencies.

Currently, Roly serves as the Managing Partner of Strategic Access Group & the President of Marante Strategy Group. Roly has an extensive background in complex and compelling community wide issues. In his private sector responsibilities, he represents several Fortune 500 companies and leading regional and local companies in development, education, healthcare, non-profits, technology and transportation sectors.

He formerly served as Chief of Staff to District 6 Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, Special Assistant to Florida Governor, Chief of Staff to the Hialeah Mayor and City Council President and Director of Public Affairs for an advertising agency. During his second year of employment with Miami-Dade County, Roly was honored as runner-up in the County’s “Employee of the Year Program.”

An alumnus of FSU and FIU, Marante served as Special Assistant to the Governor of Florida. He served as the Director of Public Affairs and Business Development for BVK/MEKA, a marketing communications and advertising agency.

His extensive experience in the area of General and Hispanic communications is complimented by his service as a former President & Chief Executive Officer of the Hialeah Chamber of Commerce. He is a founding board member of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where he Chaired the Governmental Affairs Committee, and a former Vice Chairman of the Dade-Hialeah CDC. Roly serves as a key advisor to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Beacon Council. Marante serves on the FBI-Miami Citizens Academy and leads their advocacy efforts. He has served on Senator Rubio’s Military Academies Selection Committee and is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

Roly Marante has been recognized by the Latin Builders Association, Christian Community Service Agency, American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Junior Achievement, Que Pasa Orlando Magazine, Amigos for Kids, the YMCA and many local schools for his long-standing commitment and active participation in Community and Hispanic Affairs. Marante is married and is the proud father to 3 children.

Former Vice President of Corporate Development for Florida East Coast Industries (FECI), Francois Illas was responsible for pre-development project issues including land use.

Former Vice President of Corporate Development for Florida East Coast Industries (FECI), Francois Illas was responsible for pre-development project issues including land use, environmental, traffic and general governmental regulation, as well as property acquisition and seller issues.

Mr. Illas’ involvement while at FECI spanned many projects for FECI and its subsidiary companies including a $3 billion transportation and commercial real estate investment known as Brightline aka Virgin Trains USA , which also represents the United States’ first privately owned and operated intercity passenger rail system connecting Miami and Orlando; Flagler Global Logistics, the largest industrial developer in Florida and an integrated logistics company; Parallel Infrastructure, a nationwide developer, owner and operator of telecommunication towers; and Flagler, a full-service real estate company focused on the commercial office sector.

In 2004 he opened his own consulting firm, Metropolitan Strategic Consulting, Inc., and focused on governmental and political consulting throughout Southeast Florida.  In 2011 he merged his efforts with Strategic Access Group.  His governmental practice specifically focused on procurement, regional and local legislative matters, land use, transit oriented development and permits processing. He is accomplished in the areas of campaign management, fundraising, statistical research, and media production/ placement for numerous campaigns throughout his professional career.

Francois was appointed Chief of Staff by City of Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz in 2001 where he served until 2004.  During his tenure with this administration he worked on some of the most impactful projects to be achieved by the City of Miami, including the agreement which realized the Port of Miami Tunnel with the Florida Department of Transportation and Miami-Dade County.

He also served as the Campaign Manager for the 2000 Re-election Campaign of Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas. Following the successful re-election of Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas, Francois joined the Office of the Mayor where he served as a Senior Advisor and Political Director.

François has also worked for Miami-Dade County Public School System, one of thelargest school system in the United States, as the Chief of Staff to School Board Member and former Chairperson Perla Tabares-Hantman.

He brings extensive public relations and advertising experience from his work with the firm BVK McDonald headquartered in Milwaukee.  As a senior accountant executive for campaigns and government relations, he worked on such accounts as the 1998 Jeb Bush Campaign for Governor (Statewide Hispanic Media and Public Relations Campaign), the 1998 Referendum on Statehood for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and a host of other international, Federal, state, county and municipal elections during his years at BVK McDonald.

François Illas attended Boston University and graduated from Florida International University.  During his postgraduate academic work at Florida International University, he completed his Scholars Certification at George Washington’s Graduate School of Campaign and Political Management.

He was appointed to the Miami Dade County Public Schools 21st Century Bond Committee, the Miami Dade County Charter Review Committee (2008) and City of Doral Charter Review Committee (2009 & 2010).

Carlos A. Manrique is a retired administrator of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where he held the position of District Supervisor for School Operations, overseeing the Division of Adult & Workforce Development Education.

Prior to joining the public-school system, Mr. Manrique worked with the Florida Legislature in various capacities over the course of 10 years – finally as a member of the Florida House of Representatives. As Representative for House District 115 (1992-1994), Mr. Manrique’s track record in passing legislation resulted in his appointment as House minority lead for K-12 education, which at the time included adult literacy and vocational training. Mr. Manrique was also elected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Hispanic Caucus.

From 2006-08, he served as Chair of an inter-agency Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee created by the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Commission to review re-entry needs and services for ex-offenders. Mr. Manrique also served as Chairman for Miami-Dade County Community Council 10 Zoning Appeals Board.

Mr. Manrique was born in Cuba and raised in Miami, where he graduated from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. He has a bachelor’s degree from Miami-Dade College, also attended Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina and subsequently served as an auxiliary Special Agent for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He is married to Violet Moreno-Manrique, his wife of twenty-eight years, has one son Carlos O. Manrique, two Stepsons Frank and Jorell Hernandez, and four grandsons Carlos Alfredo, Adam Clark, Nicolas (Nico), and Allison Kate.

Alex Gonzalez with over 20 years of construction management and development experience, working on large scale projects such as Brightline’s MiamiCentral Station, Parkline Towers, Countyline Corporate Park and South Florida Logistics Center.

Carlos ‘Charlie’ Leonard has been an active Miami Springs resident and Licensed Realtor/Broker for over 30 years. His ability to evaluate each client’s unique needs and wants has resulted in a loyal clientele, which is one of the many reasons he has sold millions of dollars in real estate.

A Miami Springs Expert, fluent in both English and Spanish, he understands our unique city and the qualities that it offers, home buyers and as a result home sellers.  That understanding  translates into knowing how and where to market Miami Springs’ Listings for quick profitable sales.

Carlos Leonard is considered a top economic development professional with over 32 years of experience in assisting, negotiating and securing financial incentives for expanding and relocating companies.

As the former Senior Vice President of The Beacon Council, a world renowned economic development organization, Mr. Leonard brings an impressive track record of having assisted a diverse group of global and local corporations including, but not limited to, American Express, Kraft Latin America, Caterpillar Americas, Burger King, Ryder System, Federal Express, Telemundo, GAP, VISA International, UPS, American Insurance Underwriters (AIG), Boston Scientific, Cordis Corporation, IVAX, Avborne Heavy Maintenance, Alienware, Precision Response Corporation, Avborne Accessory Group, American Sales and Management, and Discovery Channel Latin America.

As partner of IMC International, he was an integral member of the group that brought the miami tunnel. He understands Miami Dade Real Estate, however, his passion has always been real estate on a more personal level.  For that reason he founded The Leonard Real Estate Group LLC.