 | Morningside civic association |
CANDIDATES
Below are listed the biographies of the candidates running for the MCA Board this year.
Hi,
I’m Rob Pollock and I have lived in Morningside for 14 years, the last eight on North Bayshore Dr. I have helped Morningside residents by serving as MCA Secretary for the last two years (and continuing this year) and by co-chairing the 2020 election.
On the macro scale, there are two areas of importance for me:
1. Sea level rise. We should improve the infrastructure in Morningside so that it is better equipped to deal with higher water levels.
2. Neighborhood social unity. It would be nice to enjoy others’ company, and deal with each other civilly. For those reasons, the MCA should continue offering a variety of Morningside social events.
On a tighter focus, Morningside would be a better place to live in if it was quieter and cleaner. Residents should know where they can turn if they want to take action against those who are operating short term rentals, disturbing the peace, or putting their garbage and yard waste in the street days before pickup.
MCA ELECTION 2021 CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHIES.
District 1
Damian Pardo
I have been serving as the District One representative for this last term and have focused in 2 areas: development projects on the Biscayne Corridor and organizing the South Side. I am actively working on historic designation. My objective as a representative is to provide full transparency and information to every household in my district. I would like to continue serving to complete this work.
I was raised in Miami (Miami/Key Biscayne/Coral Gables) and I have lived in Morningside (NE 51ST ST) for the last 20 years. I attended Belen Jesuit, Georgetown School of Foreign Service and the University of Miami. I am a financial professional in varying capacities for 30+ years. I have broad community experience having founded organizations (SAVE, 4Ward Miami/Gay8 Festival) and served on some key Boards over the years (Miami Foundation/Hands on Miami/Miami-Dade County/City of Miami).
I live at the west end of 51st Street with 3 dogs and 1 1/2 cats (I share him-lol) and I am always open to conversations, thoughts and suggestions so feel free to stop a bearded guy walking one of 3 dogs (that’s me) or call me at 305.409.9800. I’d like your vote so I can continue my work. Thanks.
Ignacio Villanueva
District 2
Melissa Shabani
My name is Melissa Shabani, I have a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. I have worked in outpatient/acute care/and inpatient rehab settings all over South Florida. Throughout the years I have provided numerous treatments to patients with neurological disorders and have also treated patients with Orthopedics and Cardiac conditions who have undergone minimal invasive procedures.
Since 2012, I have lived in Morningside with my husband Reza and our three children, Parsa who is 8 years old, Kamy and Soraya who are twins that are 3 years old. My husband Reza, a Biomedical Engineer who used to build dialysis machines now in the restaurants business called RICE with his 3 brothers.
I was born and raised in Haiti and have been living in South Florida for about 20 years now but no matter where I lived in Miami, I felt something was missing until I moved to Morningside. New neighbors would stop by and would leave an orchid or presents welcoming us to the neighborhood. In Morningside, we have neighbors who cares about each other’s wellbeing. My kids have formed strong friendships with other kids in the neighborhood. I know that if there is an emergency, I can always count on someone in the neighborhood to help out and others can always count on me.
I love Morningside and feel very blessed and fortunate to be living in this happy and prospering community. I am part of the MCA social committee where I have helped organized the Pumpkin party, Halloween party, Christmas party and others. I believe that we should invest in our beautiful park and the safety of our neighborhood. I am committed to the improvement of the neighborhood and promise to respect all opinions and other people’s concerns and ideas. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the success of my community.
District 3
Juan Ruiz
District 4
Danial Maland
I am a proud, third generation Miamian who was lucky enough to move to Morningside in August 2018, along with my wife, Janna, and son, Magnus (now almost 4). Since joining this great community, we have grown our family with another son, Mio (1), and have really enjoyed actively participating in the MCA’s meetings and activities- from the meeting in the park's recreation building about the park/pool renovation (the most impressive showing of civil servants I’ve ever seen at a neighborhood meeting), to the wonderful holiday parties and social events. As a practicing civil litigator, and partner in the litigation boutique Mark, Migdal & Hayden, I work to solve my clients’ problems with pragmatic, reasoned solutions. I’m an optimist, and if given the chance, I think a similar approach will have some traction when working to address some of the more frequently discussed Morningside issues, like reinvigorating efforts to improve our park's playground, and finding practical, real solutions to address traffic speed control concerns. As a relatively new neighbor, I hope to bring a fresh perspective to the MCA while respecting the many long-held positions and traditions that have helped make this neighborhood so special. I very much appreciate your consideration and it would be great to have your vote.
District 5
Tatiana Loza
Tatiana Loza moved to Miami from Houston in 2017. They purchased and renovated a house in the north side of Morningside. Even before making the move to Miami, they decided to purchase in Morningside because they quickly found out there was no other neighborhood quite like it.
Tatiana was elected to the board in 2019 and during her first year she chaired the social committee. She now chairs the Welcome Wagon and volunteers in planning all the community events.
She is particularly interested in improving road safety in our community (speedbumps, stop signs, speeding) and making sure the park is properly managed and upheld.
Tatiana has an undergraduate degree in International Studies and Economics from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Rice University. Her career has mainly been in marketing and project management.
District 6
Rob Pollock
Hi, I’m Rob Pollock and I have lived in Morningside for 14 years, the last eight on North Bayshore Dr. I have helped Morningside residents by serving as MCA Secretary for the last two years (and continuing this year) and by co-chairing the 2020 election.
On the macro scale, there are two areas of importance for me:
1. Sea level rise. We should improve the infrastructure in Morningside so that it is better equipped to deal with higher water levels.
2. Neighborhood social unity. It would be nice to enjoy others’ company, and deal with each other civilly. For those reasons, the MCA should continue offering a variety of Morningside social events.
On a tighter focus, Morningside would be a better place to live in if it was quieter and cleaner. Residents should know where they can turn if they want to take action against those who are operating short term rentals, disturbing the peace, or putting their garbage and yard waste in the street days before pickup.
At Large
Rene Contreras
First and foremost I am a husband and devoted father to two beautiful girls, ages 2 and 4 years old. They can frequently be seen riding around the neighborhood on some form of wheels, with my wife and I chasing closely behind. We moved to Morningside in 2019 with the dream of raising our family in this amazing neighborhood and enjoying all it has to offer. This is why I volunteered to be on the MCA’s Historic Tour Committee, as well as the Social Committee. Along with other hard working volunteers, we put together this year’s successful neighborhood events including the Halloween Trick or Treat, Thanksgiving and the Holiday social event.
My professional experience includes being the founder and CEO of a multinational corporation for over a decade. My association experience includes being president of a 200 unit building in Midtown Miami for the past 4 years.
Rachel Wagner Furst
I am a lawyer and partner with the law firm of Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen, P.A. in Coral Gables. I love Morningside and have lived here for 7 years with my husband and two girls, ages 6 and 4. Since moving here, I have been very active in community initiatives and am dedicated to improving Morningside life. In 2018, I was the MCA Secretary, in 2019, I served as Vice President, chair of the “Communications and Membership” committee, and the MCA’s website administrator, and in 2020, I served as President as well as the chairs of those committees. In addition to Board service, I have led and volunteered with various MCA initiatives – including Kidical Mass, which I launched in 2018, the MCA “Welcome Wagon Committee”, which I chaired for five years, Easter Egg Hunts, Halloween Parties, and the MCA Historic Home Tours. In 2018, 2019, 2020, I organized the group cash gift for guard gate attendants. Outside of the MCA, I serve on the boards of the Lotus House (a shelter for women and children), Legal Services of Greater Miami, and the Federal Bar Association.
Neil Robertson
