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Jerry Bell, AICP (Candidate for Secretary)

Professional Experience:

  • Assistant Director for Planning at the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources. In this capacity, he oversees the Planning Division of the County’s Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, which provides services related to sound growth management, historic preservation, urban planning, sustainability planning, and transportation development through the Comprehensive Development Master Plan (CDMP) and related activities. 2016 – Present
  • Co-owner and President, Bell David Planning Group, an independent planning consulting firm that provided planning services to municipalities throughout the State of Florida (2000 – 2016).
  • Strategic Planner/Project Manager, Bermello, Ajamil & Partners – October 1999 – August 2000.
  • Principal Planner, Miami-Dade County Department of Planning & Zoning - October 1996 - October 1999.
  • Senio Planner, Miami-Dade County Department of Planning & Zoning - July 1994 - October 1996.
  • Planner, City of Gainesville Department of Block Grant Development & Review. March 1992 - July 1994.

Educational Background:

  • Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning (University of Florida, 1992)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Geography (University of Florida, 1989)

APA/APA Florida Experience:

  • Gold Coast Section Florida APA, Board Member and Education Officer, (2009—2014) - duties include establishing and instructing AICP certification course
  • American Institute Certified Planners, #013685
  • Member, LGBTQ and Planning Division

Position Statement

APA Florida and the services it provides have been key to my professional development as a planner, and as I reach the latter part of my career, I am interested in working to advance APA Florida’s mission by serving on the Executive Committee. In addition to my involvement with APA, I serve on the University of Florida Urban and Regional Planning Department Advisory Council (2009— present, Chair 2021 - 2023) and on the advisory board of Florida International University’s Miami Beach Urban Studio. I am particularly interested in expanding professional development opportunities for students and emerging professionals, and advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in the planning profession.