Town Council

Tony Fernandez

Vice Mayor, Seat 1

Luis E. Collazo

Councilmember, Seat 5

Luis E. Collazo has been a resident of Miami Lakes for over 40 years living in the Lake Patricia area as a child and then spending his young adult years in the Lake Glen Ellen area. Currently, Luis resides with his wife Clarisell and their sons Lucas and Cody in Windmill Gate.

As a longtime, active volunteer in Miami Lakes and the broader community, Luis has served in many volunteer capacities including Chair of the Elderly Affairs Committee for six years, past member of the Public Safety Committee, and past president of the Celebration Point Condominium Association. His involvement in the town has been rewarded with the Volunteer of the Year Award, the Senior Advocate of the Year Award, and the Key to the Town Award.

After obtaining his Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Social Work from Florida International University, Luis went to work in the healthcare industry serving the elderly population of Florida. His work ethic, integrity, and professionalism have been recognized by many organizations and officials in numerous ways including:

• Being appointed by Governor Scott to his ALF Reform Taskforce.
• Receiving the Golden Age Award, a lifetime achievement award, from the National Latino Center for Aging.
• Being appointed to the Finance Committee for the South Florida Behavioral Health Network.
• Serving as Past-President of a statewide organization representing providers of senior housing.

Luis is focused on ensuring that Miami Lakes continues to grow beautifully and responsibly so as not to worsen traffic and to keep the small-town feel that has attracted so many of us here. He will also ensure that tax dollars are wisely spent and taxes kept low.

Josh Dieguez

Councilmember, Seat 4

Councilman Josh Dieguez came to Miami Lakes as an infant when his parents moved into the Lake Sarah area in 1989. He has not only chosen to continue living here but also has spent much of his adult life giving back to the community where he grew up and which he loves.

Prior to his election in 2018, he served as a member of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee (NIC) and Elderly Affairs Committee (EAC), even serving as Chairman for three years of the NIC. In that time, Councilman Dieguez was instrumental in establishing the Community Bike Ride and has been a strong advocate for beautification projects, traffic relief, and protecting our senior programs. He is a member and Director of the Miami Lakes Bar Association—an organization co-founded by his father, Anthony Dieguez, who also served as its Founding President. The Councilman has also served on the Charter Revision Commission where he successfully sponsored proposals to enhance good government practices.

As a member of the Council, Dieguez seeks to protect and enhance the quality of life Miami Lakers have come to love and expect by focusing on financial responsibility, prioritizing traffic and infrastructure improvements, enhancing beautification, and seeking opportunities within the business community to enhance entertainment and dining options in Miami Lakes.

Councilman Dieguez graduated cum laude from Florida International University with a double major in Political Science and History and graduated with his Juris Doctor degree and a Certificate in Environmental Sustainability from St. Thomas University. He practices law at his family’s law firm, which is located in Miami Lakes.

Organizations and Board Memberships

Ray Garcia

Councilmember, Seat 2

Marilyn Ruano

Councilmember, Seat 3

In 1997 when my husband, Anel, and I were married, Miami Lakes became our home. Twenty years later, we couldn’t be happier with our decision. We currently reside in Royal Palm Estates where I have served as the HOA president since 2013. Our 15-year- old son is completing his freshman year at Barbara Goleman Senior High School.

A Florida Atlantic University graduate, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Science majoring in Accounting in December 2000 and went directly into private practice. Relocating both of our businesses to Miami Lakes in 2004, I truly understand what it is to live, work, and play in Miami Lakes. We ❤ Miami Lakes…

Passionate about children and their education, I found my way into public service in 2007 when my son was first enrolled at Bob Graham Education Center. Over the years, I volunteered and served as treasurer of the Bob Graham Education Center PTSA from 2007 to 2013, President of the Civic Engagement Academy Bobcat Law Society from 2014 to 2016, board member of the Bobcat Student Council from 2015 to 2016, Educational Excellence School Advisory Council parent representative from 2015 to 2016 and currently serves on the Wellness Advisory Committee for Miami Dade County Public Schools representing School Board Member Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman.

In 2014, I was afforded the opportunity to serve the Town of Miami Lakes when I was appointed by then councilmember Manny Cid to the Town of Miami Lakes Educational Advisory Board where I served as Vice-Chair. Securing funding for tutoring, classes, and much needed educational programs at our local area schools, and promoting and encouraging a love of reading at an early age has made this a very fulfilling experience.

With over a decade of community service, including regular attendance at Town Council meetings, I voiced my concerns on matters affecting the future of Miami Lakes. I look forward to serving my community for many years. The past 10 years have been very rewarding and I know, in my heart, that the best is yet to come.

Vacant

Councilmember, Seat 6

The Town of Miami Lakes is holding a Special Election to fill the vacancy of Seat 6 to the Town Council.

Learn more here.