[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 194 (Wednesday, December 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1282-E1283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MICHAEL FINNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2022

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Michael 
A. Finney, the first Black President & CEO of the Miami-Dade Beacon 
Council. He is newly inducted into 5000 Role Models of Excellence 
Project and is the recipient of the 2022 5000 Role Models of Excellence 
Martin L. King, Jr. Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award.
  Mr. Finney guides the official economic development partnership for 
Miami-Dade County

[[Page E1283]]

focusing on job creation and economic growth. This is the first time 
that an African American has had the top role in championing the 
county's effort to market itself as a world class business destination. 
Mr. Finney has led the organization since 2017. The Miami-Dade Beacon 
Council serves as the official economic development organization for 
Miami-Dade County. The not-for-profit public-private partnership 
focuses on job creation and economic growth. Since 1985, the 
organization has assisted more than 1,200 businesses that have created 
more than 74,000 jobs and added more than $6.7 billion in new capital 
investments. It accomplishes this by marketing Miami-Dade as a world-
class business location, growing local companies and entrepreneurs and 
shaping the local economy's future. The Council engages local, 
national, and international audiences when facilitating business growth 
and expansion.
  Prior to his current role, Mr. Finney served as president and chief 
executive officer for Community Ventures Resources Inc. in Ann Arbor, 
Michigan, served as senior adviser for economic growth for the State of 
Michigan's Governor Rick Snyder and as president and chief executive 
officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
  Mr. Finney is a member of the boards of directors of the Miami Branch 
of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Miami Lighthouse for the 
Blind and Visually Impaired, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, 
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, Saginaw Valley State 
University Foundation, and the Florida Memorial University's Social 
Justice Institute Advisory Board.
  He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Saginaw 
Valley State University and an MA in human resources from Central 
Michigan University.

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