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Miguel Romero | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2021 | |
| Mayor of San Juan | |
| Assumed office January 11, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Carmen Yulín Cruz |
| Member of thePuerto Rico Senate from the1st district | |
| In office January 2, 2017 – January 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Ramón Luis Nieves José Nadal Power |
| Succeeded by | Nitza Morán |
| Chief of Staff of Puerto Rico | |
| In office August 1, 2012 – January 1, 2013 | |
| Governor | Luis Fortuño |
| Preceded by | Marcos Rodriguez Ema |
| Succeeded by | Ingrid Vila Biaggi |
| Secretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico | |
| In office January 12, 2009 – January 13, 2013 | |
| Governor | Luis Fortuño |
| Succeeded by | Vance Thomas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Miguel Alberto Romero Lugo (1970-02-17)February 17, 1970 (age 55) San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Political party | New Progressive |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic |
| Education | |
Miguel Alberto Romero Lugo (born February 17, 1970) is aPuerto Ricanlawyer, who is the currentMayor of San Juan.[1] He was alsoSecretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico (2009–2012) and formerChief of Staff of Puerto Rico during GovernorLuis Fortuño's administration (2012–2013) and senator for the San Juan District (2017–2020).
Romero was born on February 17, 1970, inSan Juan,Puerto Rico. At the age of 17, he was admitted to theUniversity of Puerto Rico where he pursue aBachelor of Arts inSocial Science. While going to college, he also attended hospitality school where he learned the skills he would later use in his union job as acasinocroupier, a position that provided his first exposure to collective bargaining agreements.
Later, in 1999, he obtained aJ.D. degree from theInter American University of Puerto Rico School of Law, where he graduatedsumma cum laude and top in his class.[citation needed] After graduation, he obtained the highest grade (100%) in the PR Bar Exam.[citation needed] Romero Lugo was also admitted to practice law in the state of Florida, the Federal Court in Puerto Rico, the Central Florida Federal Court and the Supreme Court of the United States.
He joined the Government of Puerto Rico in 1993, working for the Youth Affairs Office. Then he moved up toLa Fortaleza – the Governor's Mansion – where he worked in the Municipal Affairs Office during the day, while earning aJ.D. degree from theInteramerican University of Puerto Rico School of Law in the evenings.
In 1998, then-GovernorPedro Rosselló nominated Romero as associate member of the Appellate Board of the government's personnel administration system. Two years later, he was designated president of that entity, serving in that capacity until 2004, being the youngest member of the cabinet at the time of his nomination. Romero then practiced as a privatetrial lawyer, specializing inlabor relations.
In November 2008, former Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon.Luis Fortuño, nominated him as Secretary of Labor and Human Resources. He was sworn into his post in January 2009, and assumed several responsibilities that denote his leadership, character and commitment as a public servant. Romero successfully mediated disputes and spearheaded many negotiations with Labor Unions improving the conditions of Puerto Rico's workforce.
While being in office Romero was active in several Government of Puerto Rico boards, including the State Insurance Fund Corporation, the Public Housing Administration, the Cooperative Development Commission, the Work Investment Act State Board, and the Fiscal and Economic Stabilization board. Additionally, he was one of only five government officials that make up the council in charge of reorganizing and modernizing the Executive Branch of Puerto Rico. Because of his leadership the Governor of Puerto Rico also entrusted Romero with the task of solving all current tribulations affecting the government's retirement system by naming him chair of the Commission to Reform the Government of Puerto Rico Retirement Systems.
In August 2012, Romero was appointed chief of staff by Governor Fortuño.
On August 1, 2012, Romero became the Governor's thirdChief of Staff, succeedingMarcos Rodríguez Ema, who became one of Senior Advisor to theLuis Fortuño reelection campaign. The differences in style with his predecessor became readily apparent when he announced that he will concentrate on government issues and avoid becoming immersed in political debate.
Romero, a Democrat, served as a delegate to the2012 Democratic National Convention inCharlotte, North Carolina, representing the San Juan Senatorial District. In 2016, he also served as a delegate for the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, representing the San Juan Senatorial District.
After four years in theSenate of Puerto Rico,in 2020, the people of San Juan elected him as the mayor of the Municipality of San Juan. On January 11, 2021, he took office, becoming the eighth mayor of San Juan elected by the direct vote of the people of San Juan.
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Mayor of San Juan 2021–present | Incumbent |