Miami-Dade County Commissioner Senator René García was elected Chair of the South Florida Regional Planning Council in January 2026. A strong believer in regional collaboration and the value of working across jurisdictional lines on shared issues of concern, he has served on the SFRPC since February 2021. Commissioner René García is a lifelong public servant whose leadership has been rooted in advocacy, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Northwest Miami-Dade. Born and raised in the Hialeah, he began his journey in public service more than two decades ago as a Councilman for his hometown, launching a career defined by giving a voice to the voiceless.
As a member of the Florida House of Representatives and later the Florida Senate, Commissioner García championed meaningful reforms that improved the lives of countless Floridians. He advocated comprehensive mental health reform, sponsored legislation to end surprise medical billing following hospitalization, promoted expanded healthcare access for children through Florida KidCare, and has consistently stood as a strong voice for seniors and vulnerable populations. Throughout the halls of Florida’s Capital, Commissioner García is known as someone that can bridge divides with a knack of bringing people together and crossing party lines.
First elected in 2020 as Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 13 and re-elected in 2024, Commissioner García believes deeply in balancing economic growth with social responsibility. His pragmatic leadership addresses critical issues including workforce housing, environmental protection, infrastructure improvements, public safety, and sustainable community development—always with a focus on leaving a stronger foundation for future generations.
Currently, he is serving as Chairman of the Recreation, Tourism, and Resiliency Committee, Vice Chairman of the Safety and Health Committee, and as a member of the Transportation and the Intergovernmental and Economic Impact committees. He serves as the Chair of the Miami-Dade County Behavioral Health Advisory Board leading the effort to eliminate the stigma and increasing accessibility to mental health services in South Florida and serves as the Chairman of the Value Adjustment Board. Commissioner García continues to lead with integrity, collaboration, and a steadfast dedication to improving the quality of life for all residents of Miami-Dade County.
Professionally, Commissioner García founded New Century Partnership, a consulting firm specializing in healthcare services management, business development, and compliance. He currently serves as Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. He also serves as Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Medical Center, located in the Town of Miami Lakes, is entrusted to deliver in-office personalized high-quality healthcare that empowers patients
to achieve optimal health through accessible and compassionate services dedicated to supporting the wellness journey of every individual with integrity, innovation and respect.
After his legislative service at the state-level, Commissioner García founded H.O.P.E (Helping Our People Everyday) Mission, Inc., a non-for-profit to provide Miami-Dade County, specifically Northwest area, with a better quality of life without judgement and with kindness, empathy, honesty, inclusivity, and accountability. HOPE serves residents by filling in gaps in community services, strategizing solutions to unmet needs, and ultimately assisting our residents in overcoming challenges to reach their next step in life’s journey.