Merrett R. Stierheim
Merrett R. Stierheim demonstrated instrumental leadership in making Miami-Dade County Government a force of progress for civic life. There is hardly an area of Miami-Dade County not impacted by Stierheim, who served as County Manager of Miami-Dade County from 1976 to 1986 and again from 1998 to 2001, providing outstanding support to the County’s arts budget ensuring that robust cultural resources were prioritized and preserved for the benefit of all residents. He successfully supervised a massive countywide infrastructure expansion from 1976 to 1986, which included: the downtown main library and cultural complex, the Government Center, Zoo Miami, several regional parks, libraries, the County’s mass transit system – Metrorail, Metro-Mover, the Metro bus system -- and major Miami International Airport and Seaport expansions. From 1990 to 1998 Stierheim served as President & CEO of Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). He volunteered to help multiple cities with management challenges and was appointed Superintendent of the Miami-Dade Public School System. A principal founder of major Miami-Dade civic and municipal institutions including Beacon Council, GMCVB, Metro Miami Action Plan, and Human Service Alliance, he served on numerous national, state, and local boards. He chaired the Zoological Society of Florida and the Beacon Council. He served on the Boards of the United Way, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC), GMCVB, Goodwill, the Ed Fund, the Homeless Trust, The Children’s Trust, Mellon National Bank, Barnett Bank, Sun Trust Bank, among others. An Emeritus Member of the Orange Bowl Committee, he received the GMCC Henry Flagler Visionary Achievement Award; and a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Builders Association’s Hall of Fame; received a Humanitarian Medal from the Miami Coalition of Christians and Jews; and a National Public Service Award from the American Society for Public Administration. His legacy lives on through his equally impressive wife Judith Cannon Stierheim, and his four daughters, Laurey, Cathy, Mia and Paula; nine grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren. Above all, the arts community felt the enduring presence of a true friend and supporter in Stierheim.