Supplemental Agenda Items - FGUA

J. Kevin Grace
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES
Mr. Grace spent most of his career in city and county government, including seven
years as county manager in Seminole County right up to joining Government Services
Group.
During his tenure, he was one of the first county managers in Florida to obtain
credentialed manager status. He also developed and implemented a funding plan to
construct a new $50 million criminal justice facility project without a tax increase,
completing the project on time, and under budget.
He also negotiated the successful merger of the Seminole County Fire Department
and the Altamonte Springs Fire Department. At the same time, Mr. Grace achieved an
upgrade in Seminole County’s credit rating from both Moody’s and S&P to rank among
the highest counties in Florida.
Some of the civic programs Mr. Grace helped initiate during his government service
time included Arts in Public Places, an Employee Wellness Program, Employee
Academy Program and Citizens Academy Program.
Merrett Stierheim
SENIOR PROJECT ADVISOR
Mr. Stierheim has been part of the GSG team since 2005, offering consulting services
to various city and county governments on issues such as local management/
leadership, strategic planning and organizational improvement.
He is regarded as a master problem solver.
Mr. Stierheim’s tenure in local government and private industry spans nearly 50 years.
His career began in city management in Miami and Clearwater, and later continued into
county management – twice service as Miami-Dade County Manager – with reaches
into public school executive management.
Currently in his fifth decade of public service, Mr. Stierheim last served as
superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Mr. Stierheim first served as Miami-Dade County Manager from 1976-86 where he
oversaw a myriad of important service and infrastructure expansions. He was asked to
return 12 years later to help restore citizen confidence in the county government with a
$4.5 billion budget, 28,000 employees and 42 departments. Prior to this second term,
he was recruited to lead the City of Miami out of financial bankruptcy.
Among his educational credentials, Mr. Stierheim received honorary doctoral degrees
from Barry University and St. Thomas University in Miami.
Team Proposal Florida Governmental Utility Authority
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