Belkys Perez is the Director of the Economic Development Department for the City of Coral Gables. She is a highly skilled communications and marketing professional with 21 years of experience specializing in communications, media and government relations, and community outreach programs focused on spurring economic growth. Through marketing efforts, Ms. Perez promotes the city’s business-friendly environment in order to retain and recruit both companies and talent. She oversaw the marketing and public relations efforts for the Miracle Mile and Giralda Plaza Streetscape Project, a multi-million dollar construction project which included developing media and community outreach opportunities. She also managed the year-long celebration marking the city’s 90th anniversary which fostered a renewed sense of pride among residents and business owners alike.

Prior to working for the City of Coral Gables, Ms. Perez was an Emmy-nominated news reporter who worked at several television news stations in Florida. She covered a range of local, national, and international stories with local impact. She also assisted the City of Miami Beach’s government television channel in delivering strategic messaging to its constituents.

Before her career in television and local government, Ms. Perez graduated from Barry University with a Bachelor of Art in Broadcast Communications. Years later, she earned her Masters of Business Administration from Florida International University.