Since taking on the role as Homestead city manager, Zerry Ihekwaba has already rolled out initiatives for a better quality of life for residents with citywide clean-ups, and has in the works a spaceport and an entertainment hub.  Mr. Ihekwaba joined the City of Homestead from the City of Miami, where he served as assistant, deputy and interim city manager.  A licensed engineer in Florida and Georgia, he earned his civil engineering degree at the University of Nigeria in 1985 and a doctorate in structural and materials engineering at Queen’s University in Ontario in 1996.  Mr. Ihekwaba is a member of professional and leadership organizations including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Florida Stormwater Association, the ASCE Structural Engineering Institute, and the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA, South Florida Chapter). He served on the steering committee of Resilient 305 for the Greater Miami and The Beaches, a program piloted by the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities, currently known as Resilient Cities Network. “Our strategic priorities focus on the values and expectations of our residents and businesses, especially their quality of life, public safety, sustainable infrastructure and the environment, community engagement through excellent customer service, economic transformation, and financial empowerment,” he said, “as well as stressing the importance of the arts, parks, and recreation for all.” As a public administrator and engineer, he has been recognized for professional, leadership and community roles, including by the Builders Association of South Florida and Cuban American Association of Civil Engineers. Mr. Ihekwaba, who is married to Miami-Dade County circuit Judge Chiaka Ihekwaba, said he is prepared to take Homestead to new heights as one the most desirable places to live in South Florida.  “From the moment I arrived in Homestead, it was clear that I have work to do, but I am confident that I have the benefit of a committed and progressive city council, as well as an administrative staff of professionals ready to embrace process improvements to elevate Homestead as the jewel of South Florida,” he said. “My mission is very clear: elevate Homestead, because the city has great potential.” Mr. Ihekwaba spoke with Miami Today reporter Abraham Galvan. This week’s profile will appear in next year’s Book of Leaders. Miami Today publishes a Book of Leaders every year. This book is a compilation of all The Achievers profiled in every edition. The information in this book is available nowhere else – the stories of the women and men who are shaping the development of Greater Miami. If you would like to order a copy of the Book of Leaders from 1997 to 2023 or a complete set, click here to place your order. Related Posts:Ronald Wasson: Aventura city manager seeks to…Giselle Gutierrez: Builds leadership training effort…Luis de la Aguilera: Chairman links US Century Bank…Scott Hansel: Chapman Partnership CEO is targeting…Dr. Pablo Ortiz: New Barry University provost plans…The post Zerry Ihekwaba: Manager plans Homestead as a space industry powerhouse appeared first on Miami Today.