Next gen: our ongoing, monthly look at future South Florida leaders

South Florida CEO, July, 2005 by Yeleny Suarez

Michael Valdez-Fauli, 25

Current Position: Group director, The Jeffrey Group LLC Background: After double majoring in political science and communications at Tulane University in New Orleans, he worked at the Los Angeles headquarters of Conexion Public Relations. He moved to Conexion's Brickell office, and in 2004 joined Miami Beach-based public relations firm The Jeffrey Group. "I brought a track record of success with US Hispanic and Florida accounts, which TJG was expanding to serve, and they provided me with amazing experience in Latin America," Valdez-Fauli says. He is helping spearhead the firm's new US Hispanic division, Axeso.

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The Future: "In 10 or 20 years, I see myself heading up a major marketing firm and deeply involved in civic life, perhaps in politics," Valdez-Fauli says. "I want to be a major factor in shaping Miami's future."

An Opportunity Grabbed: Although many of his well-know family are in law and finance, Valdez-Fauli saw a different path for himself. "I have always felt that my strengths were in communication, strategy, persuasion and language, so entering this field was a natural progression from my studies," he says.

Family Pressure: "While growing up I was surrounded by success and felt I didn't have a choice but to succeed," says Valdez-Fauli, whose father was mayor of Coral Gables from 2001 to 2003, and is currently a partner with law firm Steel, Hector & Davis LLP. "My father's career had a tremendous impact on me, in that I saw it was possible to successfully balance a private career and political life," he says.

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