Merrett Stierheim has passed but his legacy lives on, writes Bill Talbert.
Bill Talbert, the former CEO of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, wrote this tribute to his former boss and friend Merrett Stierheim for the Spotlight.
My story with Merrett Stierheim begins in 1976 when he arrived from Pinellas County to become Metropolitan Dade County Manager. I was an Assistant in the Dade County Federal Aid Coordination Office on the 9th floor of the Dade County Courthouse at 73 West Flagler Street. We worked with him on the U.S. Federal Local Public Works Program funding local infrastructure. As part of his Team, the County received more funding than any local government in the United States – the largest single grant, and the very first shovel in the ground for a project in the nation. Our Team success led to other opportunities. He promoted me to Executive Assistant to the County Manager and thus began a forty-year-plus era of working together.
Those early years were spent implementing the $553 million Decade of Progress Bond Issue which funded projects such as 12 new libraries, recreational and cultural facilities, Metrorail, Metromover, MetroZoo, health care facilities, solid waste and sanitary sewer systems and the new Government Center. All built under Mr. Stierheim’s leadership.
Of course, these opportunities came with challenges. His management style was all about integrity, getting the job done and teamwork. As a direct report, on a daily basis, I can attest to the Stierheim way.
He never shied away from dealing with the difficulties. Early on he changed the Director of Public Safety because of his lack of support for diversity in law enforcement. There was the Mariel Boatlift, McDuffie Riots, budget issues, Metrorail issues and many others. In all cases he was up to the challenge and brought the Team together to deal with them. Always tough, firm and fair. Many times, he would have issues with media coverage of County issues. He always demanded honesty and integrity by all. Only one standard there – do the right thing.
In 1986 he was recruited to be CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association [WTA]. It was global sales and marketing; his first private sector experience with a private Board. First on his agenda was to relocate their Global Headquarters from Los Angeles to Miami. Then he quickly led the move of the Lipton International Players Championship to Key Biscayne and the construction of a World Class Public Stadium in Crandon Park. The event, now known as The Miami Open, is recognized as the 5th Grand Slam Tennis Tournament in the world. I was honored that Mr. Stierheim asked me to be the Director of Administration of the WTA, an opportunity for which I am eternally grateful.
During that time he created a dramatic increase in player tournament purses and significantly, began the first ladies player pension program in history. He was for women’s rights and diversity before it became fashionable.
Following the WTA Merrett was recruited to be President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau [GMCVB] and hired me as Chief Operating Officer. My private sector experience at the WTA qualified me for this important job. Merrett led the Team to record tourism numbers, albeit challenged by tourism safety concerns and a Black tourism boycott. Merrett dealt with those issues as always—fairly, honestly, and ethically.
During those times Merrett regularly briefed city officials. I remember how a visit to Miami City Hall for such a briefing led to the overnight appointment of Merrett as Interim City Manager – and his determination that the City of Miami was near bankruptcy. Merrett solved that problem and ultimately went on to lead the Dade County Public Schools.
The Board of the GMCVB proceeded to conduct an international search and ultimately hired me as their CEO. I then led our GMCVB Team to continuing record tourism levels for the next twenty years. I got the CEO job because of my experience and training by The Best – Merrett Stierheim.
Rest in Peace my Boss, my lifelong Friend. And I thank you.
Bill Talbert
