Tomas Regalado, Property Appraiser of Miami-Dade County

Tomas Regalado was born in Havana, Cuba, and arrived in Miami in 1962 as part of Operation Pedro Pan. At a young age, Tomas began a prominent career in journalism working at various radio and television stations including WFAB, WCKT, and WLTV. He gained international recognition as a correspondent covering events in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. In 1983 he became the first Cuban American member of the White House Press Corps under Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

In 1996, wishing to serve his local community, Mr. Regaldo was elected to the City of Miami Commission and subsequently reelected in 1999, 2003, and 2007. In 2009, he was elected as the 42nd Mayor of the City of Miami, serving two consecutive terms. In 2018, he was appointed by President Donald J. Trump as the Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, bringing professional news and information programming to the people of Cuba seven days a week. In November 2024, Tomas was elected to lead the newly independent, constitutional office of the Property Appraiser of Miami-Dade County. 

Tomas’s family has a strong history of public service. Tomas’s children, Tomás Jr., Raquel, and José, have also continued the family legacy pursuing careers in public service. His father, an attorney and journalist, was a political prisoner for 20 years. He instilled in the young Regalado a passion for justice and democracy.