Rodney L. Barreto is currently serving his second five-year term on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, appointed first by then-Gov. Jeb Bush and re-appointed by Gov. Charlie Crist. Barreto is serving his fifth term as chairman of the Commission, having been elected by his fellow commissioners in 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Barreto is President and CEO of Barreto Group, Inc. a diversified company specializing in corporate and public affairs consulting and real estate investment. Its consulting division is well-positioned to represent a wide array of clients on local issues. The Barreto Group's real-estate division handles land acquisition, zoning and development. The Barreto Group brings to these arrangements deep roots in the community and a history of proven performance on behalf of clients and business partners. The firm has a reputation for effective results, and is uniquely qualified to buy, hold or sell property in agreements, and on schedules, that benefit the community and maximize returns to the partners. Barreto is also the founding partner of Floridian Partners, LLC, with offices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Tallahassee. Floridian Partners is a strategy-management firm that develops and manages effective corporate and public affairs strategies to achieve specific business results. Recognized by policymakers and their peers as one of the top public affairs firms in Florida, the principals have achieved measurable results for dozens of companies based in Florida and other parts of the United States. From Fortune 500 companies, to small businesses, to professional sports franchises, the firm has developed winning strategies. Floridian Petroleum Developers was established by Barreto in 2007 and has since identified, purchased and is developing over half a dozen gas station sites throughout Florida, including Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Lee counties. Partnering with industry experts, Floridian Petroleum specializes in ground-up, or refurbishing sites into state-of-the-art gasoline stations or convenience store facilities. Rodney Barreto is widely known for his involvement in the community in which he grew up. He is chairman of the 2010 South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee and also chaired the 2007 South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee, charged with raising over $12-million to support the Feb. 4, 2007 game in Dolphin Stadium and the dignitaries and media it attracts. Barreto was also chairman for the second time of the Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors. The 76th annual U.S. Conference of Mayors convened in in Miami June 2008. He previously chaired the 62nd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors, also held in Miami. He was also the Miami Dade County chairman of the 1999 South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee, Chairman of the 1999 Breeder's Cup Championship, held in South Florida, and was the chairman of the 1999 Sister Cities International Convention in Miami. He was co-chairman of the City of Miami Centennial celebration in 1996. Barreto created the Big Orange New Year's Eve celebration in Downtown Miami that still takes place each Dec. 31. The Miami native also finds time to protect wildlife in the Sunshine State. As a youngster in the 1960s, Barreto fished Biscayne Bay and hunted the Everglades, activities he now enjoys with his wife and children. He is a board member for U.S. Century Bank, one of the fastest-growing and best-capitalized community banks in Florida. Locally owned and headquartered in Miami, the bank was rated one of the three strongest banks in Florida by theStreet.com, a New York-based financial news and analysis company. Additionally, he is a member of the Florida Council of 100 and sits on the boards of the Baptist Hospital Health Foundation and Goodwill Industries of South Florida. He was state finance co-chair for the gubernatorial campaign of Gov. Charlie Crist and is the annual event chairman of the Gov. Charlie Crist Fishing Trip in Key West, a Republican Party event. Barreto has received numerous awards and accolades - including being presented the key to the County by Mayor Stephen P Clark. In 1999 and 2006 Barreto was named one of the 100 most powerful people in South Florida by South Florida CEO. The Latin Builders Association named him "Consultant of the Year" in 2004. In 2005 the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida presented Barreto with its Conservation Award. He has also received special recognition for his outstanding contributions in the establishment of a Research Natural Area in Dry Tortugas National Park to restore, protect and preserve the park's pristine subtropical ecosystem. In 2005 and 2008, respectively, Barreto was inducted into the Miami Dade College and Immaculata La Salle High School Hall of Fame. In 2009 the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish Tournament awarded him with the Captain Bob Lewis Perpetual Memorial Award for his conservation efforts. Prior to his career in public affairs and real estate, Barreto was a City of Miami police officer. Barreto earned his Associate of Arts degree from Miami Dade Community College and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Studies from Barry University. Barreto is married and lives with his wife, Shelia, and two children, Brittney and Bradley, in Miami. |
