Torey Alston
School Board Member, District 2: Cooper City, Davie, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, and Southwest Ranches

Kathleen C. Wright Administration Center  
600 SE Third Ave
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301

Tel: 754-321-2002
Fax: 754-321-2700

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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 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.

As a Professional and Senior Executive

Mr. Alston has worked both in government and the private sector in senior leadership roles.

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.  Mr. Alston will be the 1st African-American to lead the transition from 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. 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). 

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 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. 

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 suppler 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.

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, 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.

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. 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 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. 

VIEW SMART AT A GLANCE
Find the latest updates and photos of SMART Bond projects in District 2 and see how the program is enhancing schools countywide.