Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins nominated a veteran South Florida public safety official this week to replace Art Noriega as city manager.
Her choice for the job – James Reyes, the chief of public safety at Miami-Dade County – will need to be confirmed by the Miami City Commission, which meets next on Thursday, Jan. 8.
In announcing her choice, Higgins said Reyes has shown the sort of “transformational leadership” needed in the City of Miami.
Reyes joined the county’s leadership team in January 2023 after 22 years at the Broward Sheriff’s Office, where he rose to become executive director of administration. He ran for Miami-Dade sheriff in 2024, but lost to the county’s current sheriff, Rosie Cordero-Stutz.
“James Reyes has proven he can modernize operations, accelerate service delivery, and build cultures of excellence,” Higgins said in a statement announcing her choice to replace Noriega, a move she had previously telegraphed. “His track record directly aligns with our vision for responsive, efficient city services.”
Last week, Higgins re-appointed Christine King to chair the Miami City Commission.
