The Vice president of engagement at Florida International University, Saif Ishoof, will be the city of Miami’s pioneer chief technology officer.
This morning, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said he had hired the city’s first Chief Technology Officer. The move seems to be part of Suarez’s more significant effort to turn Miami into a focal point for tech entrepreneurs and companies, together with crypto startups.
Saif Ishoof is Suarez’s pick for the job; he is a Miami-based lawyer and the recent vice president of Florida International University.
Suarez made the announcement last Monday on a live news show. Suarez also stated that the city’s Chief Technology Officer would “provide concierge services” for tech firms that came from Miami, presumably to help them feel a little more welcome.
He has been particularly courting the crypto industry, having meetings with the Winklevoss twins, running the crypto exchange Gemini, and the executives from Bitcoin mining companies and DeFi initiatives. During his chat with the Winklevoss twins, Suarez stated that he wants Miami to be “the most crypto competitive city globally,” and mentions potential plans to accept fees in crypto.
The meeting was a part of a continuing fireside chat-style “cafecito” video series, which features Suarez in a conversation with private sector executives about how much Miami can be a global center for business and technology innovation.
He has also spent a prudent amount of time promoting the city on Twitter. He has talked with Elon Musk regarding building tunnels underneath Miami and then interacted with crypto influencer Anthony Pompliano. Suarez stated that Peter Thiel and Jack Dorsey have reached out to him privately in the latest interview.
He was asked about Musk’s tunnel idea, and he suggested that the city’s water table might make this thing impossible.
Suarez answered, “Not only it is doable, it’s been done,” referring to the Port of Miami Tunnel – which connects two islands in Biscayne Bay – as proof that tunnels can work; the context is a bit different, though – the Port Tunnel runs below the port, and a network of tunnels beneath the city might present a whole new set of challenges.
He was also asked whether or not his plans for Miami are a way to greater political ambitions outside the city; Suarez suggested that for now, he is just focused on doing his job.
If he does well, he stated, and if his family is willing to come along for the ride, “there will be many opportunities to serve at a higher level.”
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