Merret R. Stierheim
July 2001, Greater North Miami Chambe of Commerce speech

He started with memories 42 years ago of a young graduate intern walking up the steps of the Dinner Key, City Hall..."just like it was yesterday..." with shaky knees about to embark upon a public service career, that he stills believe he was lucky to have experienced. Mr. Stierheim wants to write a book called "The Second Time Around Twice", and he proceeded to explain why the title is so appropriate.

The City of Miami in 1959 was a professionally run city required to turn over control of such things as water and sewer services, transportation, and seaport operations, to Miami-Dade County. During his 8.5 years as Assistant City Manager for Miami, Mr. Stierheim oversaw much of the transition providing the nucleus for county services. From 1976 to 1986, Mr. Stierheim took over the county itself, as the Miami-Dade County Manager. The focus during these years was to transform a political organization into a professional County Government. The county managed development of 5 billion in infrastructure including Metro Zoo, Metro Rail, both the civic and cultural centers, regional schools, parks and libraries, and other necessary projects to make the county work.

In 1959 when he began his public service, the community was much different, economically and in its diversity. During the transitions in government, the community also underwent tremendous changes as demonstrated by Mr. Stierheim's listing of the Mariel Boatlift, the "worst civil disturbances in the United States", Haitian refugee crisis. It was a challenging and exciting time to serve, and he commented that "When you are challenged, it is the best time to serve."

Merrett Stierheim became the Chief Executive Officer of the Women's International Tennis Association Board of Directors where he is credited with overseeing women's tennis growth as an international sport, including the doubling of prize money. He said of this time, "..the wonderful wacky world of Women's Professional Tennis , was quite a change...an exciting time to travel all over the world...."

This lasted until 1996 when he was asked to return to the City of Miami as an interim City Manager, a short-time stay while the city found someone to replace the former City Manager who had been taken off to jail. On Friday the 13, Interim City Manager Stierheim was sworn in (he said he should have known better). By Monday, the City Manager realized the budget he had studied over the weekend was at least 35 million short (the end tally was a 68 million shortfall). The ordeal began to restructure the budget, with the assistance of 43 pro-bono corporate executives within 13 task forces. The recover plan developed then is still helping the City recover a sound fiscal posture.

With this interim (second-time around) job completed, Mr. Steirheim went back to the world of tennis. He was up for aninternational position and thought his future was set. Again he got a South Florida call, this time from the mayor of Miami-Dade County. The County Manager had been fired and Mr. Steirheim was asked to take an interim job while a replacement was obtained. (Thus, the second-time around again). With old colleagues in trouble and citizens needing his help, he went back to his old job.

In both the city and county governments, Mr. Steirheim saw a loss of leadership, direction, and professionalism. While the county did not have the financial crisis of Miami, it was encountering a "scandal-a-week". Both governments needed to restore integrity, ethics, and professional management. Mr. Steirheim accepted the challenges and a change in his future. Today he is helping to build a new government in Miami Lakes, from scratch.

Merritt Stierheim asked, "Why the book...because I think I understand and appreciate how to build an organization, how to lead it, how to empower employees, and how to destroy it...to tear it apart. I think I can impart some of my management philosophies and some of the antidotal experiences that I've had. I don't know who will read it..." Before he could go further, a number of people in the audience said they would read his book.

In addition to the jobs mentioned, Merrett Stierheim was President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and had to overcome publicity nightmares of a Hurricane Andrew and crimes against tourists. He is the recipient of numerous local, national, and international awards. Mr. Stierheim has been involved in or been principal founder of major Miami-Dade civic and municipal institutions. He is married to Judy Cannon and has four daughters and eight grandchildren.

Thank you Merrett Stierheim for your dedication to public service.

Thanks for your participation.