On Friday, August 26, 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed former Broward County Commissioner Torey Alston to the School Board of Broward County, Florida. Subsequently, on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, School Board Member Alston took the oath of office administered by Dr. Earlean Smiley, former Principal at Blanche Ely High School and former Deputy Superintendent for Broward Public Schools, who has watched Mr. Alston blossom through the years. School Board Member Alston became the 1st Student Advisor to the School Board to serve on the School Board of Broward County, Florida.

At the Board’s leadership organizational special meeting on August 29, 2022, Mr. Alston was elected 9-0 as Chair of School Board of Broward County, Florida, becoming the youngest person in Broward County history to serve in this leadership role (at the age of 38), 1st millennial to serve as School Board Chair and 2nd black male to Chair the Board. Mr. Alston is excited to represent the families, students and taxpayers of Broward County on the School Board.

As a School Board Member

As the former Chairman of the School Board (and still serving on the Board), Mr. Alston worked with colleagues and boldly passed several items:

1. Returned visionary focus to become an “A” school district as a top priority and directed immediate and comprehensive action by the former Superintendent on all grand jury report findings (08/30/22, Workshop Discussion)

2. Passed a FY 22/23 budget, with the lowest millage rate in 15 years, focused on student achievement, safety and compensation for both instructional and non-instructional employees (09/13/22, Second Public Hearing)

3. Ceased legal payments after 8/26/22 to suspended School Board Members listed in the grand jury report (09/13/22, Agenda Item BB-1)

4. Rejected Former Superintendent Cartwright’s Appraisal Evaluation System and Process (10/18/22, Agenda Item 4)

5. Approved a $8 million Saturday School Tutoring Initiative targeting underperforming 3rd, 8th, 9th, 11th and 12th grade students running from November 2022 through April 2023 (10/11/22, Agenda Item F-3)

6. Approved nearly $8 million to set aside in unallocated funds for the economic downturn providing relief to Broward Families and School Sites, an action not taken in 15 years by the board (10/18/22, Agenda Item 1)

7. Approved additional training for School Board Members via the Florida School Board Association and Council of Great City Schools, as referenced in the grand jury report (10/18/22, Agenda Item 2)

8. Approved realigning equitable share of local discretionary millage fund to support public charter schools (11/14/22, Special Meeting)

9. Referred audit investigations with perceived criminal activity to law enforcement agencies for additional review (11/14/22, Agenda Item DD-3 & DD-4)

10. Supported a one-time $7500 incentive for law enforcement personnel (11/14/22, Impasse Hearing)

11. Realigned and increased public engagement with written comments now posted online for the 1st time (still in place today) and as former Board Chair DID NOT cut off any public speakers.

12. Created a new public comment period created near the beginning of meeting on agenda items (eliminated waiting hours during long meetings for the public to speak on an agenda item)

13. Supported removal of Former Superintendent Cartwright, Supported Appointment of Task Assigned Superintendent Dr. Valerie Wanza and Supported Appointment of Interim Superintendent Dr. Earlean Smiley (Nov. 2022 – Feb. 2023)

14. Supported 100% reimbursement of costs to municipalities for School Resource Officers and a multi-year contract, as supported by the Broward County Polic Chiefs Association and the Broward Sheriff (April 2023)

15. Strongly advocated against the 2022 School Board Ad Valorem Tax Increase, raising costs on cash-strapped families with high inflation and uncertain job conditions (Advocated Against both as a County Commissioner and Broward School Board Member)

As a Family Man Born in South Florida

Mr. Alston’s commitment to public service started at a young age watching his parents serve this community. His mother is a retired Broward Health social services case manager and deceased father, a retired BSO deputy.

As a kid who attended public schools in Broward County and a 4th generation member of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Mr. Alston understands the community, has relationships with local leaders and will bring a regional and countywide view on major issues.

As a proud FAMU Rattler, Torey married his college sweetheart Candice and is a proud father to their daughter, Elliott Elizabeth and son, Torey Louis.

As a Public Servant

On Tuesday, November 23, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed then County Commissioner Torey Alston to the Broward County Commission (district 9 seat). Subsequently, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, then County Commissioner Alston took the oath of office administered by Circuit Court Judge George Odom. While serving on the county commission, Mr. Alston served as a member of the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization, Value Adjustment Board, Circuit 17 Juvenile Justice Advisory Board and Pompano Beach N.W. Residential Advisory Board. Working collegially with his colleagues, then Broward County Commissioner Alston:

• Drafted policy direction for a Veteran-owned Business Contracting and Preference Program and ultimately passed the county commission via a 9-0 vote
• Drafted the policy direction for a Mentor Protégé Contracting Program and ultimately passed the county commission via a 9-0 vote
• Co-sponsored and passed a countywide housing ordinance via a 9-0 vote, requiring a written notification period related to the termination of certain month-to-month residential tenancies and rental increases of 5% or more
• Advocated against the Broward County School Board ad valorem property tax increase
• Strongly supported a decrease in the county millage rate for the 2022-2023 budget

From serving as the Student Member on the Broward School Board from 2001-2002 to being a Gubernatorial Fellow under former Florida Governors Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist, his leadership abilities have been honed by hard work and dedication. Mr. Alston has experience bringing together Democrats, Republicans and Independents.

At the age of 25, former Florida Governor Charlie Crist appointed Mr. Alston on April 12, 2010 to serve on the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees, the youngest person appointed to serve on any state university board. Due to a Gubernatorial Transition, the incoming Administration immediately noticed Torey’s talent and passion. Florida Governor Rick Scott subsequently reappointed Alston on February 4, 2011 to serve out the full five-year term ending January 6, 2015. Mr. Alston was confirmed by the Florida Senate on April 29, 2011 and served with distinction for nearly six years on the FAMU Board of Trustees including serving as the Board’s Chair of Governance and Student Affairs. In November 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Mr. Alston to serve on the Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Board of Directors. Most recently, Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz appointed Mr. Alston to serve on the DOE African-American History Task Force and the HB 1 Reducing Regulation Workgroup.

As a Professional and Senior Executive

Mr. Alston has worked both in government and the private sector in various senior leadership roles with 15+ years’ experience in transportation/infrastructure, facilities/maintenance, procurement, human resources, and budgeting.

On October 28, 2021, the inaugural governing board of the Greater Miami Expressway Agency (GMX) voted 5-0 for Mr. Alston, as its first leader and Interim Executive Director. The GMX Board voted again on July 5, 2023 to ratify the prior appointment. Mr. Alston will be the 1st African American to lead the transition from the dissolved MDX to the new organization of GMX. Mr. Alston was tasked to build a new organization, ensure effective governance, financial sustainability of the agency, efficient operations and overall stability during the transition period.

With more than 3 million residents and 180,000 daily commuters, GMX will oversee, operate and maintain five expressways constituting 34 centerline-miles and 228 lane miles of roadway in Miami-Dade County and parts of Monroe County. The five toll facilities include: Dolphin Expressway (SR 836), Airport Expressway (SR 112), Don Shula Expressway (SR 874), Gratigny Parkway (SR 924), and Snapper Creek Expressway (SR 878). The laws of Florida, Chapter 2023-70 outline the GMX oversight of south Florida expressways.

Previously, Mr. Alston served as Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Transportation, the 1st African-American to serve in this capacity. With more than 6200 employees and then an annual $10.3 billion budget, Mr. Alston served as the principal advisor to FDOT Secretary Kevin Thibault on matters of administration, policy, and overall agency operations. As Chief of Staff, Torey touched all high priority issues spanning Central Office (headquarters in Tallahassee), all seven Districts and the Florida Turnpike Enterprise. Mr. Alston was responsible for the agency’s federal/congressional affairs, state legislative/intergovernmental affairs, communications, external affairs, and diversity/inclusion efforts. Mr. Alston also regularly coordinated with all members of the senior leadership team, the Florida Transportation Commission, airport directors, port directors and toll authority CEOs. One of the biggest responsibilities was serving as Staff Director for the state’s Multi-Use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (MCORES) Initiative. He facilitated the work of three, 40+ member task forces working on infrastructure planning (broadband, public utilities, electric vehicles, etc.) consisting of state agencies, county commissioners, city commissioners, MPO staff, business groups and environmental organizations. The Legislature charged the task forces with bringing recommendations to the Governor, Senate President and Speaker of the House

As the former Inaugural Economic Equity and Diversity Compliance Officer, Mr. Alston returned to Miami-Dade County Public Schools for a second stint on February 5, 2018, leading the nation’s 4th largest school district economic development and contracting efforts enhancing local small, micro, veteran and minority/women business enterprises. Mr. Alston was selected for the role based on his background in supplier diversity, economic inclusion and diversity at the state and local levels. Under Mr. Alston’s leadership, the district passed the Phase II Disparity Study on Goods & Services and Maintenance, created the district’s Veteran Business Enterprise Program and served as Chair of the Goal Setting Committee, placing M/WBE goals and other affirmative procurement initiatives on district projects.

In this role and in his prior stint, Mr. Alston served as one of the key voices of the $1.2B General Obligation Bond responsible for both implementation and execution. He approved hundreds of millions of dollars in contract awards to businesses in the tri-county area and regularly briefed the Superintendent’s senior leadership team on impacts to school sites, internal funds, technology, utilization of prime contractors, subcontractor/subconsultant reporting and overall local workforce compliance.

Prior to returning to M-DCPS on the second stint, Mr. Alston served as the Equal Opportunity Director (Chief Diversity Officer) and ADA Coordinator for the City of Gainesville ($330 million budget with 125,000 residents), one of six charter officers reporting directly to the City Commission. The Office of Equal Opportunity oversaw ADA accommodations/compliance, diversity training for all employees, Small/Service-Disabled Veteran Business Procurement Program, community engagement and monitored complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation and credit within the corporate limits of the City of Gainesville. Under Mr. Alston’s leadership, the City created its 1st ADA Self-Evaluation Process, created the City’s Service-Disabled Veteran Business Program and changed procurement policy to increase access, equity and diversity in the contracting process. Mr. Alston served as one of six charter officers responsible for collective responsibility for managing and providing direction for the City’s $422 million utility operation.

Prior to joining the City of Gainesville, Mr. Alston served as Executive Director for the Office of Economic Opportunity with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), as the principal deputy for the office with oversight of the contractor prequalification process and staff director of the contractor prequalification review committee. Mr. Alston’s oversight included ensuring compliance with Florida

Building Codes and State Requirements for Educational Facilities, monitoring the number of contractors by trade and thoroughly investigating licensure, financial stability, relevant company qualifications and prior experience. Prior to joining M-DCPS, Alston served two stints as Chief of Staff to former Broward County Commissioners Albert Jones and Barbara Sharief. From 2007-2010, Alston served as executive director for Florida's Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) and served as interim executive director for the state's Council on Efficient Government for nearly seven months. As executive director for nearly three years, he oversaw the state's supplier diversity program, which managed minority, women, and service-disabled veteran business certification, outreach, compliance and matchmaking. Under Alston's leadership in fiscal year 2006-2007, the State of Florida spent more than $3 billion with minority and women-owned business enterprises. Over three years, Alston raised nearly $1 million for the state's MatchMaker Conference linking business owners statewide thus attracting major corporate partners including AT&T and Walt Disney World. Mr. Alston also created the first service-disabled veteran business program in the State of Florida, which is today replicated in counties, cities and public agencies across the state.

As interim executive director for the Council on Efficient Government for nearly six months, Alston evaluated business cases for cost-effectiveness and efficiency before an agency could proceed with any outsourcing of projects. Under Alston's direction, the team found more than $30 million dollars in cost avoidance or savings to the state.

Mr. Alston has been a member of several professional organizations including the Florida Association of Minority Business Enterprise Officials, Institute for Supply Management (ISM), National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP), American Contract Compliance Association, American Association for Access, Equity & Diversity, and Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO).

As a Community Leader

Mr. Alston has strong civic engagement as a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, Life Member of the NAACP, FAMU National Alumni Association Life Member, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Life Member, Southern Province Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and served as the 1st Vice-President for the NAACP Florida State Conference for several years. In 2018, Mr. Alston was initiated into the Alpha Rho Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.

Mr. Alston has previously served on the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County Corporate Board, City of Fort Lauderdale Audit Advisory Board and the City of Oakland Park Board of Adjustment. Mr. Alston is a 4th generation member of the New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale.

Mr. Alston was most recently recognized as a 2022 Most Powerful and Influential Black Business Leaders, Legacy South Florida and 2022 MavPAC Future 40 Honoree.

As a Student of Education

Torey is a product of Broward County Public Schools having attending Walker Elementary, Parkway Middle and Blanche Ely High School. Mr. Alston received his undergraduate degree in business administration from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and a master's in business administration with a concentration in marketing and management. Mr. Alston is a Florida Certified Contract Negotiator, Certified ADA Coordinator, Certified Affirmative Action Professional and a Certified Compliance Administrator. Torey also has a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Boston College Carroll School of Management, Center for Corporate Citizenship.