Don Slesnick

Donald David Slesnick II (born November 7, 1943) is an American attorney, community advocate, military veteran, diplomat, and public official who served as Mayor of Coral Gables, Florida, from 2001 to 2011. A longtime figure in South Florida civic affairs, he is known for his involvement in urban planning, historic preservation, and local government ethics. Slesnick has held national roles in the American Bar Association and currently serves as Honorary Consul for Australia in Florida. He is the founder and Managing Partner of the law firm Slesnick & Casey, specializing in labor and employment law. As of 2026, his four consecutive terms as mayor constitute the longest uninterrupted mayoral tenure in Coral Gables.

Early life and education

Slesnick was born on November 7, 1943, to Donald David Slesnick, Sr. and Anne Thompson Farrior in Harlingen, Texas. His father served as a Master Sergeant in the Army Air Corps during the Italian campaign of the Second World War. Before being deployed overseas, he met Anne at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Alabama. When Don Sr. returned from the war, the family settled in his father's hometown of Buffalo, New York.

After graduating high school, Slesnick attended the University of Virginia where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965. Slesnick would then continue his education with a J.D. from the University of Florida in 1968, and a Master of Public Administration from Florida International University in 1980.

Military service

As a university student Slesnick, like his father, chose to serve in the United States military, beginning a decades-long career. He began his service as an ROTC student at the University of Virginia where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1965.

Slesnick has received combat ribbons and awards for his military service, including the Meritorious Service Medal.

In 2012, Slesnick received the "Outstanding Civilian Service Award" from the U.S. Department of the Army, presented by the commanding general of SOUTHCOM, Douglas Fraser. He became an active participant in the legal community at the county, state and national levels and, as a result, was appointed to several leading positions in the field. These included serving as Director of Personnel for the Dade County Public Safety Department from 1972 to 1974, Director of Labor Relations and Legislative Affairs for Dade County Public Schools from 1974 to 1975, and General Counsel of the Dade County and Florida Police Benevolent Association from 1975 to 1978.

Slesnick has held several leadership posts in the American Bar Association (ABA) as well as the Florida Bar. These included being elected Chair of the Florida Bar Labor & Employment Law Section (1977-1978), Chair of the Florida Bar Law Week & American Citizenship Committee (1978–80), as well as Chairman of the American Bar Association Section of Labor & Employment Law (2017-2018).

Political career Early involvement

After becoming established in the legal community at the county and state levels by the end of the 1970s, Slesnick began his political career with his first campaigns for public office. He ran twice for State Representative for Florida's District 114, first in 1978 and again 1980. While unsuccessful, Slesnick's community involvement would deepen following these races, including being elected President of the Junior Orange Bowl Committee in the 1980s. At the state level, Slesnick served as President of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation (FTHP) from 1993-1995, and was credited by the Trust with increased advocacy in the Florida State Capitol, as well as expanding the organization by increasing its membership base.

As Chairman of the Coral Gables Planning & Zoning Board, his first appointed government role in Coral Gables, Slesnick oversaw the establishment and execution of the Mediterranean Architectural Ordinance to maintain thematic alignment with the city’s founding vision. These included the Village of Merrick Park, the 10 Aragon Condominium, and Hotel Colonnade. In that role, Slesnick also collaborated with the Hispanic leadership organization Mesa Redonda to create a privately funded watchdog group to help spotlight corrupt officials and business practices. The election began a decade-long tenure in the position with four consecutive election campaigns. Slesnick’s term overlapped with a period of transition for the city. By the start of the 21st century, Coral Gables had become one of South Florida’s most prominent municipalities. It maintained a high profile internationally for its major historic landmarks and tourist destinations such as the Biltmore Hotel, Venetian Pool, and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, as well as for significant outreach to Latin America. While the city was largely defined by its history, this period also coincided with its growing business activity. By the early 2000s, Coral Gables housed more than 150 multinational corporations, including major brands such as Yahoo!, Texaco, and Lucent Technologies, which had each established their Latin American headquarters in the city, as well as the continued growth of the University of Miami, one of the largest employers in the city. Another project by Slesnick’s administration to modernize the city’s infrastructure and transportation system was its implementation of a digitized cell phone parking payment system in 2005, making Coral Gables the first city in the United States to offer the service. To implement the program, the city partnered with Toronto-based firm Mint Technologies, sometimes abbreviated to Mint Inc., which had previously pioneered the system successfully in several Canadian cities.

Planning and zoning reforms

Slesnick’s approach to city planning was centered on encouraging economic growth while balancing new development with an emphasis on sustaining Coral Gables’ architectural heritage. The project was influenced by an unrealized 1920s “Village Project” plan by city founder George Merrick for a Spanish-themed village and was designed to reflect human scale and architectural continuity rather than high-rise density. Because of these elements, the project represented a major application of Slesnick’s “Smart Growth” framework and secured his support.

Additional large-scale developments approved during Slesnick’s terms of office included: The Bacardi World Headquarters on LeJeune Road, a notable example of Coral Gables’ international business presence.

The Coral Gables Museum was a particularly extensive project that incorporated both historic preservation as well as new construction. The primary facility for the new museum would restore and convert the historic Police and Fire Station, a deteriorating Great Depression-era WPA construction built in 1939 that had also served as the county jail and then a courtroom. The Compact led to the expansion of the Elementary into the renamed Coral Gables Preparatory Academy encompassing grades Pre-K through 8th spread over two campuses. The program offers students the opportunity to receive dual certifications with both a U.S. high school diploma as well as the equivalent International Studies diploma from a European country based on the additional language they chose to study. The curriculum was developed as an international collaboration, leveraging previously established diplomatic relationships between the Coral Gables, the Miami-Dade County Public School System, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Consulate General of Italy, and the Educational and Science Ministry of Spain. He had also overseen outreach to advance Coral Gables’ involvement in the international Sister Cities program. As mayor, Slesnick led and received delegations from France, Spain, Italy, Guatemala, and Colombia. Slesnick also received foreign Heads of State during state visits to Coral Gables, including King Juan Carlos I of Spain, Prince Albert of Monaco, the vice president of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the First Lady of Wakayama, Japan.

Public profile

During Slesnick’s tenure Coral Gables was recognized by several national and international institutions. In November 2004, First Lady Laura Bush recognized the city with a Preserve America Community designation. In 2006, Coral Gables was named the “Best Overall Sister City Program in the Nation” (mid-size cities) by Sister Cities International as well as receiving the “City Livability Award” from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. In 2009, KaBoom, a national non-profit dedicated to advocating for play in children's lives, designated Coral Gables a “Playful City USA Community.” In 2010, The Wall Street Journal named Coral Gables the “Sixth Most Walkable Suburb in the United States”. In addition, American City & County Magazine awarded the city the America's Crown Community Award.

Mayoral campaigns and non-governmental activities

During his four Mayoral campaigns, Slesnick was endorsed by major area media outlets, including The Miami Herald, The Sun Post, The Coral Gables Gazette, and Coral Gables News. He also received support from numerous public figures, among them Dorothy Thomson, the only woman to serve as Mayor of Coral Gables, and prominent Coral Gables author and historian Arva Moore Parks. National leaders who endorsed Slesnick’s campaigns included former ambassador Ambler Moss, former SOUTHCOM commanding general James T. Hill, and Tony Villamil, former U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for Economic Affairs.

Post-mayoral career

Slesnick held several leadership roles in South Florida prior to his election as Mayor of Coral Gables in 2001 and continued to serve in other positions during his mayorship. These included serving as past president of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee, past president of the Coral Gables Rotary Club, and past chair of the Coral Gables Community Foundation.

Following the conclusion of his decade in elected office in 2011, Slesnick remained active in the legal field as well as in the community, particularly in historic preservation, education, diplomatic, and military affairs. Has also remained engaged in community endeavors, giving public lectures, and holding committee, foundation, and educational leadership positions. Among them, past president of the College of Labor & Employment Lawyers and Chair of The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation from 2013 to 2014.

Slesnick continues to hold several ongoing regional and statewide public roles. He currently serves as chair for the Florida secretary of state's Friends of Florida History Board, chair of Ethics Advisory Committee of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, as well as the director of community & partner relations for the St. Thomas University Institute for Ethical Leadership.

As a former mayor of the city, Slesnick was also an active participant in several events marking the Centennial of the City of Coral Gables in 2025, including the Coral Gables Centennial Flag raising ceremony in City Hall, the Biltmore Hotel centennial time capsule dedication ceremony, and giving several lectures on the city’s history.

Beyond his own political career, Slesnick had also supported the political career of his wife, Jeannett, including her successful campaign and election to the Coral Gables City Commission in 2015, as well as two historically narrow races for Mayor of Coral Gables.

In 2000, Slesnick was named a U.S. Army Reserve Ambassador for Florida.

Throughout his career, Slesnick has represented the South Florida community while meeting with international heads of state, including the monarchs of the United Kingdom, Spain, and Monaco, and the vice president of Taiwan. In that role, Slesnick helped inaugurate a new Australian consulate in Coral Gables in 2014 to provide consular assistance to Australians living in and visiting Florida and to enhance trade, economic investment, educational and cultural linkages.

Recognitions and legacy

Civic recognitions

Don Slesnick has received numerous recognitions for his public service, legal, military, and diplomatic careers.

Prior to his time in elected office, Slesnick was recognized with the 1993 Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce's "Bill Colson Leadership Award", the 1997 "Commandant's Meritorious Public Service Award" from the U.S. Coast Guard, and the 1998 "Medal of Merit Award in Leadership" by the Miami Dade County Board of County Commissioners.

In 2024, Slesnick was awarded as a co-recipient with his wife (posthumously) the "Henry M. Flagler Community Builder Award" from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce as well as the Excellence in Public Service Award from the Gables Good Government Committee.

In October 2025, Slesnick was the recipient of the inaugural “Don Slesnick Civic Vision Award” by the Coral Gables Art Cinema. The award was named in his honor for his role in helping to establish the Coral Gables Art Cinema while serving as Mayor. The award was unveiled during the Cinema’s “Lights & Legacy” 15th anniversary event. Cinema President and Founder Steve Krams stated “Don deserves a lion’s share of the credit for the fact that Coral Gables Art Cinema exists. He was the mayor—and his vision and influence proved to be very persuasive.”

In 2018, Slesnick was awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Florida Bar Labor & Employment Law Section.

In 2004 Slesnick was listed by South Florida CEO magazine as one of the "Top 100 Global Leaders of South Florida”.

In 2025, Slesnick was named one of Miami’s top attorneys by Best Lawyers magazine.

Personal life

Don was married for 54 years to Jeannett Black Slesnick, a South Florida community advocate and former Coral Gables City Commissioner, until her death in 2023. The couple have two children, Kathleen Slesnick Kauffman and Donald Slesnick III, a daughter-in-law, Cecilia Dubon Slesnick, and four grandchildren: Olivia Kauffman, Julia Kauffman, Ceci Slesnick, and Sebastian Slesnick. In media interviews, Don Slesnick has acknowledged both his mother, Anne, and wife, Jeannett, as significant influences on his own approach to public service.