Miguel Romero

Miguel Romero
Miguel romero portrait.jpg
Chief of Staff of the Government of Puerto Rico
In office
August 1, 2012 – January 1, 2013
Succeeded by Ingrid Vila Biaggi
Secretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico
In office
January 12, 2009 – January 13, 2013
President
Appeals Commission for the Public Service Human Resource Management System
In office
2001–2004
Associate Member
Appeals Commission for the Public Service Human Resource Management System
In office
1999–2001
Personal details
Born Miguel Alberto Romero
(1970-02-17) February 17, 1970 (age 43)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Occupation Trial lawyer

Miguel Alberto Romero (born February 17, 1970) is a lawyer, and the former Secretary of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico and Secretary of Government of Puerto Rico.

Early Life and education

Romero was born on February 17, 1970 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This young professional gained his elementary education in Puerto Rico’s public school system. At the age of 17 he was accepted by the University of Puerto Rico to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences. While going to college, he also attended Hospitality School where he learned the skills he would later use in his union job as a casino croupier, a position that provided his first exposure to collective bargaining agreements. He graduated from Law School Suma Cum Laude and first in his class. After graduation, he obtained the highest grade in his Bar Exam, being one of a handful of hopefuls in Puerto Rico to ever achieve a perfect score in that test. Romero is admitted to practice law in the state of Florida, the Federal Court in Puerto Rico, the Central Florida Federal Court and the Supreme Court of the United States.

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Early career

He joined the Government of Puerto Rico in 1993, working for the Youth Affairs Office. Then he moved up to La Fortaleza - the Governor’s Mansion - where he worked in the Municipal Affairs Office during the day, while seeking a law degree from the Inter American University in the evenings.

In 1998, then Governor Pedro Rosselló nominated Romero as Associate Member of the Appellate Board of the government’s Personnel Administration System. Two years later, he was designated president of that entity, serving in that capacity until 2004, being the youngest member of the cabinet at the time of his nomination. Romero then practiced as a private trial lawyer, specializing in labor relations.

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Secretary of Labor and Human Resources

In November 2008, former Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Luis Fortuño, nominated him as Secretary of Labor and Human Resources. He was sworn into his post in January 2009, and assumed several responsibilities that denote his leadership, character and commitment as a public servant. Romero successfully mediated disputes and spearheaded many negotiations with Labor Unions improving the conditions of Puerto Rico’s workforce.

While being in office Miguel Romero was active in several Government of Puerto Rico boards, including the State Insurance Fund Corporation, the Public Housing Administration, the Cooperative Development Commission, the Work Investment Act State Board, and the Fiscal and Economic Stabilization board. Additionally, he was one of only five government officials that make up the council in charge of reorganizing and modernizing the Executive Branch of Puerto Rico. Because of his leadership the Governor of Puerto Rico also entrusted Romero with the task of solving all current tribulations affecting the government’s retirement system by naming him chair of the Commission to Reform the Government of Puerto Rico Retirement Systems.

On August 2012, Romero was appointed Chief of Staff by Governor Fortuño.

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Chief of Staff of Puerto Rico

On August 1, 2012, Romero became the Governor's third Chief of Staff, succeeding Marcos Rodríguez Ema, who became one of Senior Advisor to the Fortuño reelection campaign. The differences in style with his predecessor became readily apparent when he announced that he will concentrate on government issues and avoid becoming immersed in political debate.

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National politics

Romero, a Democrat, will serve as a delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, representing the San Juan Senatorial District.

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Last modified on 20 March 2013, at 13:03