GoFish!

Mentor of the Month

Joe Perez, Mentor of the Month for March, 2006

Bio

The son of Cuban immigrants, Joe Perez was born and raised in Tampa, Florida where he met and married his childhood sweetheart, Cynthia.  After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served his country four years.  Mr. Perez was later recruited by the City of Phoenix Police Department in Arizona as a police officer where he served in this capacity for several years.  Mr. Perez and his family then relocated back home to Florida in 1992.  Mr. Perez and his wife have been married twenty-six years.  They have a son and a daughter. 

Mr. Perez is currently the District Manager for the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants, a state regulatory agency responsible for regulating the hospitality industry within the state of Florida.  In this capacity he is responsible for the daily operations for a district that oversees seven counties under its jurisdiction.  He has over eight years of progressive supervisory and management experience working for Florida State government.   Altogether he has over seventeen years of combined law enforcement and regulatory experience.

Mr. Perez holds two undergraduate business degrees and earned his MBA degree from Nova Southeastern University.  He currently is the Tampa Bay alumni chapter president for Nova Southeastern University.  He is involved in the mentoring programs as a mentor to business students at the University of South Florida and Nova Southeastern University.  He is an arbitrator for the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).  He is a member for the League of United Latin American Citizens, Tampa chapter.  Other memberships include the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s, Tampa Bay chapter.  Two honor societies, Beta Gamma Sigma and Sigma Beta Delta.  National Society of Hispanic Professionals and the American Management Association.  Additionally, he served five years on the board of a prison ministry at his church.  He presently attends Highlands Park Church of the Nazarene.

Questionnaire

1. What is your job title and affiliation? 
   I am the District Manager for the Tampa district office of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Hotels and Restaurants.  The Division is responsible for regulating the hospitality industry within the State of Florida.  As the Tampa district manager, I am responsible for the daily operations for a district that has seven counties under its jurisdiction.
   
   
   
2. Briefly tell us about your educational and career background. 
   Educationally, I hold two undergraduate business degrees and an MBA.  My career background has been in law enforcement and as a state regulator.  I also have over eight years of progressive supervisory and management experience working for Florida State government.  Altogether, I have over seventeen years of combined law enforcement and regulatory experience.
   
   
   
3. With which professional societies/organizations are you involved? 
   I am an arbitrator for the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).  I am member for the League of United Latin American Citizens, Tampa chapter.  Other memberships include the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s, Tampa Bay chapter.  Two honor societies, Beta Gamma Sigma and Sigma Beta Delta.  National Society of Hispanic Professionals and the American Management Association.
   
   
   
4. Just for fun, tell us a few interesting facts about yourself: 
   I really enjoy learning and strongly believe in giving back to the community. But most importantly, I love spending time with my family.  Whenever we get a chance, we like to travel.
   
   
   
5. In what area(s) do you specialize?
   Public Health
   
   
   
6. What initiated your interest in this (these) area(s) and how did you eventually choose this (these) area(s) for your career?
   It’s funny, but I kind of fell into this.  After relocating back to Florida, I was hired to fill a temporary position for the department because of my law enforcement background.  They were so impressed with my work that they hired me permanently.  So hard work and perseverance does pay off.
   
   
   
7. What, in your opinion, has been the most important contribution you have made to your field?
   Every day is an important contribution for me.  Thousands of Florida residents and visitors depend on our services.  We make a significant impact not only on protecting their health, but there is also a positive economic impact to the state.   Safe and clean restaurants, hotels, and motels means happy repeat customers.
   
   
   
8. Are there specific aspects of practicing in your field that you find unappealing? 
   Most businesses really work hard at doing a good job of keeping things clean and safe, but every now and then you come across a really bad operation that makes you want to shake your head in disbelief.  Fortunately, for the public, those are the ones that get closed until they can correct the problems. 
   
   
   
9. What were some of the most rewarding and/or challenging moments of your career?  
   These two past hurricane seasons were very challenging.  We had to deploy our inspectors to other districts, as well as ours, to help out with disaster response inspections.  Helping to coordinate those efforts and keeping everyone focused was very challenging, but we have, in my opinion, some of the most loyal and hardest working employees an organization can ask for.
   
   
   
10. What excites you about practicing in your field everyday?
    Knowing that what we do makes a difference in our communities throughout the state.
    
    
    
11. What do you see as the challenges facing young adults entering this field?
    It is a very rewarding career, but you have to stay on top of your game.  There is a lot of information to learn and staying up to date with the myriad of laws and rules can get daunting.
    
    
    
12. What specific goals would you recommend that these young adults set for themselves? Any suggestions on how to achieve them?  
    Stay focused, be diligent, and maintain a positive attitude.   I like to read self-help and positive motivational books.  A good sense of humor also goes a long way in this field, too.
    
    
    
13. Describe how you have been able to give back or contribute to the organizations and the profession in general through your involvement in professional organizations.
    As a mentor, I have been able to give advice to young students to help keep them from making some of the mistakes that I have made.  I have been able to also provide professional support and guidance to fellow members of the professional organizations to which I belong, and when I need some questions answered, too, I have someone there that is ready to help or point me in the right direction.
    
    
    
14. How did you get started in these organizations and what advice do you have for young people wanting to get involved?
    I feel it’s important to get involved and to give back. It helps keep me humble and puts things back into perspective.  For example, earning my MBA from Nova Southeastern University opened doors for me that I did not have before.  I was also very impressed with the support I received from fellow students, professors and NSU staff and the quality of the program.  After graduating, I wanted to give back to the university that helped me, so I checked into whether or not there was a local alumni chapter so I could stay involved with NSU.  When I found out that the office of alumni relations was looking to start a chapter and needed a president, I stepped up to the plate.  I then got involved with NSU’s mentoring program.   Both have been rewarding experiences.  My advice to young people is to get involved in something you believe in and give 110 percent.
    
    
    
15. Do you have any other specific comments or advice that you like to provide to current NSU students in this field?
    You have to love and believe in what you are doing or else it just becomes work.  I once heard that the difference between a job and a career is that a job is something you do with your days, and a career is something you do with your life.  I have found this to be true. My last advice is something I practice every day and that is, ALWAYS strive to develop yourself to your highest and fullest potential.  Your life and career are what you make of it.

Are you a student who would like to nominate your mentor for this section? Are you an alumni who would like to be showcased as our Mentor of the Month?