Service Management

Braulio Baez

**** ******* ******

305-***-**** Coral Gables, FL 33134 *******.****@*****.***

Executive-Level Counsel

Steering Clients in Highly-Regulated Industries to New Levels of Success

Former Chairman of the Florida Public Service Areas of Expertise

Commission, credited with building successful Legislative Affairs

energy, telecommunications, and other critical Regulatory Compliance

public policies. Legal Counseling

Results-focused counsel with extensive experience Negotiations

navigating government affairs for clients in the Policy Development

energy, transportation, technology, management Strategic Planning

consulting, telecommunications, water, and Business Solutions

wastewater industries. Team Leadership

Strategic executive skilled at collaborating with Client Industries

clients, attorneys, and other key stakeholders to Telecom/Cable

build consensus on steps taken to align business Energy

goals with legal requirements. Technology

Effective leader who thrives under pressure, Water & Wastewater

recognized for building high-performance teams and

known for working well with all levels of

personnel.

Experience & Achievements

Of Counsel

Akerman Senterfitt - Tallahassee, FL - 2009 to Present

Florida's largest and most respected law firm, with 450+ attorneys.

Advocate business, legislative, and regulatory policies before local,

state, and federal governments for a diverse range of clients in the

energy, telecommunications, water, wastewater, and technology industries.

. Advanced business goals for technology and management consulting clients

by strengthening state procurement practices and preparing effective

responses to competitive solicitations.

Senior Counsel

Holland & Knight, LLP - Miami, FL - 2006 to 2009

International law firm offering more than 20 practice areas in the United

States, Asia, and Mexico.

Drove legal strategies involving critical infrastructure issues for Fortune

500 electric utility, independent power producers, private equity firms,

investment banks, and other clients in the electric, telecommunications,

and water and wastewater industries.

. Secured regulatory approvals from Federal Communications Commission and

Colorado Public Utilities Commission to transfer customers and

authorizations from a Fortune 100 telecommunications company to a smaller

communications and cable services provider.

. Led successful $39 million procurement bid for Fortune 500 technology

vendor to provide services at Miami International Airport.

. Directed response stage of proposed $1.3 billion transportation project

on behalf of a North American subsidiary of a leading Spanish

infrastructure conglomerate.

Chairman Commissioner

Florida Public Service Commission - Tallahassee, FL - 1994 to 1998, 2000 to

2006

Independent regulatory agency serving the public of Florida by managing its

public utilities.

High-profile leadership role guiding energy policy for the State of

Florida. Directed the agency, overseeing 360 employees and allocating $24

million budget. Established rates and service requirements for regulated

companies in the electric, natural gas, telecommunications, and water and

wastewater industries. Presided over agenda conferences and administrative

proceedings, where the Commission exercised quasi-judicial and quasi-

legislative functions related to regulated utilities. Served as Chief

Advisor from 1994 to 1998.

. Testified before Congress and FERC on critical regulatory policy issues

affecting regional transmission organizations, electric reliability, and

fuel diversity.

. Presided over complex and contentious dockets, including applications for

increases in water rates, petitions for rate increases by Florida Power &

Light Company, and review of GridFlorida Regional Transmission

Organization (RTO) proposal.

. Delivered keynote address at Nuclear Symposium in 2004 and presented

introductory remarks at the Department of Energy Hemispheric Conference of

Energy Regulators in 2002.

Associate

Leibowitz & Associates, PA - Miami, FL - 1998 to 2000

Recruited to build firm's practice representing local jurisdictions in all

aspects of telecommunications law. Played key role in creating municipal

telecommunications networks. Advanced legislative policies and negotiated

municipal and related agreements.

. Negotiated cable franchise renewal with Time Warner Cable, securing

substantial additional franchise fees for the cities of Ocoee, Live Oak,

Kissimmee, and Cocoa Beach.

. Obtained key concessions from AT&T (Comcast) in negotiating cable

franchise renewal for the City of Miami; securing new municipal

telecommunications network at minimal cost.

Education

Juris Doctor: Nova University, Sheppard Broad Law Center (Ft. Lauderdale,

FL)

Bachelor of Science: Florida International University (Miami, FL)

Memberships

Florida State Bar Leadership Florida Dade County Bar Association

Cuban American Bar Association Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce

Language Skills

English (fluent) Spanish (fluent)

Contact this candidate