In a significant move for Miami-Dade County's environmental and climate resilience efforts, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has tapped Curtis E. Osceola, formerly Chief of Staff to the Miccosukee Tribe, for the critical role of Chief Resilience Officer. According to a press release from Miami-Dade County, Osceola's appointment will commence on Monday, January 27 where he will be operating under the Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER).
Osceola's background includes significant contributions to the Everglades protection initiative, where he was instrumental in securing an unprecedented federal funding package for wetlands restoration. "We are extremely proud to welcome Curtis to this key role championing resilience in Miami-Dade,” Mayor Levine Cava said, as noted by the county's official website. The Mayor praised Osceola as an internal change agent, and a coalition builder for environmental protection, qualities that will be crucial in his new capacity as he directs the county's efforts against challenges posed by climate change.
Curtis Osceola expressed his gratitude for this opportunity, "I am truly honored to be appointed by Mayor Levine Cava to lead the Office of Resilience for Miami-Dade County," he stated, emphasizing his commitment to safeguarding the natural environment and improving the citizens' quality of life in the face of climate adversities. Osceola has worked on major projects like the Western Everglades Restoration Project, and his leadership has solidified the Tribe's influential role in environmental discussions and public engagement, according to the same press release.
In his new position, Osceola is set to head up the resilience team, an integral component in tackling climate-related challenges in Miami-Dade. The team's remit is to implement resilience initiatives across multiple departments and garner public backing for essential projects throughout the county. Together with RER Director Lourdes Gomez, Osceola will be forming, a new resilience working group to implement policy, program, and integrate practices that enhance the county's ongoing commitment to resilience.
With an exceptional educational background boasting a Bachelor's degree in finance and a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami, Osceola's groundbreaking status as the first lawyer from the Miccosukee tribe is complemented by his previous involvement as Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s tribal appointee to the South Florida Ecological Restoration Task Force, demonstrating his longstanding dedication to environmental causes.
