John Elizabeth Alemán

Her Biography

Education and Career

John was always an ‘A’ student. She worked as a runner for a law firm, then as a cashier and bussing tables to earn money during high school and still graduated with a GPA above 4.0 from Riverview HighJAleman-Headshot School in Sarasota.

She graduated with High Honors with a degree in Finance in 1990 from the University of Florida, where she supported herself and paid tuition while working restaurant jobs. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity.

Upon graduation she was hired by Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). She worked hard learning the software industry. Ryder System recruited her to South Florida in 1994. John held positions in Application Strategy and e-Business Development before being named Group Director of International Information Technology, responsible for more than 70 employees in nine countries. She reported to the Chief Information Officer and led staff in the UK, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, China and Singapore. John also worked as chief information officer for MasTech, a public telecomm and utilities construction company that is headquartered in Coral Gables.

Personal History

John met her future husband on her first day on the job at Ryder. They bought their home on Alton Road right before they married in 2000. They have 2 children as well.

In 2010, John was encouraged to join the North Beach Elementary PTA executive board. She served as Treasurer and was elected President in her second year. In 2013, John was awarded “PTA President of the Year” and the North Beach Elementary PTA was awarded “Local PTA Unit of the Year,” by the Miami-Dade County Council of PTA/PTSAs, out of more than 300 schools in Miami-Dade County.

In 2013, John was appointed to serve as the North Beach Elementary representative on the City of Miami Beach Quality Education Committee. After one term she was elected Chairperson by the Committee.

John’s husband, JB, is a Cuban-American born in Miami. His family history is a long and proud one, typical of many in the Cuban exile community. JB’s grandfather lived in a home in Miami Beach on Pinetree Drive in the 1940’s. JB’s father (Jose Braulio Alemán Sr.) spent his entire fortune to further the cause of democracy in Cuba. Young and very wealthy, he was a major contributor and organizer of the struggle against Cuban dictators Fulgencio Batista and Fidel Castro. Jose filled several of his hotels in Miami Beach with Cuban exiles in the early 1960’s supporting many Cuban families upon their penniless arrival to the U.S.

JB runs a successful IT business, Meridian Partners. He is Chairman of the School Board at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, from where he graduated in 1984. JB also served on the School Board of The Montessori Academy at St. John’s, as Chairman of the City of Miami Beach Hispanic Affairs Committee and a member of the City of Miami Beach Community Relations Board.

The Alemáns are animal lovers — they have a four-year old Basenji breed dog, two hamsters, and a fish.

John’s education, professional and civic background gives her the skill set to capably serve the people of Miami Beach on the City Commission.

John is a dedicated and committed resident who wants to keep Miami Beach a wonderful place to live, raise children, work, and play so that in the future her sons can establish their own roots and remain proud residents of this special city.