Commissioner Tony Ortiz

Commissioner Antonio “Tony” Ortiz is a resident of Florida since 1984, and has lived in the City of Orlando since 1989.

His career began in public service when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1984. He served his country nine years (between active and reserve) and is a Persian Gulf War Veteran. He also worked in accounting and in banking for four years.

He is a graduate from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor in Science. In addition, he is a certified Crime Prevention Practitioner in the State of Florida. He specializes in Elder and Disabled Crime, and Prevention through Environmental Design.

In Orlando, Commissioner Ortiz is a pioneer in the implementation of the concept of Neighborhood and Business Councils. A proactive approach to maintain the communities and merchants involved with City government and law enforcement; while maintaining the local government abreast of the community issues and merchant’s problems. This concept serves as a solid foundation for responsible development and economic growth. He further drove the Business Council to become the first Business Association on District 2, known as the Semoran Business Partnership. Recently, the Semoran Business Partnership obtained the Market Street Program designation.

Commissioner Ortiz led the revitalization of the City of Orlando District 2 by initiating a Vision Plan to re-develop the Semoran corridor. This corridor is the main gate to the City of Orlando from the Orlando International Airport.

He also opened the first Seniors vs. Crime Office in Orlando; a special project of the Florida Office of the Attorney General. The Seniors vs. Crime Project was created to reinforce the message of crime prevention and to provide methods by which Florida’s senior population could be alerted to consumer fraud, con games, and other criminal acts.

He was City of Orlando 2010 – 2011 Mayor Pro Tem. Currently, he is a member of the National League of Cities - Hispanic Elected Local Officials (HELO), a member of the Florida League of Cities Board of Directors, 2011 - 2012 Vice President of the Tri-Counties League of Cities Board, a member of the Orlando Web Foundation Board of Directors, a member of the After-School All-Stars Board of Directors, a member of the Ana G. Mendez University/Orlando Campus Board of Directors, a member of the Central Florida Marine Corps Foundation, Honorary member of the Working Together Coalition (a City partnering organization), a UCF Alumni, a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Commissioner Tony Ortiz was also the President (for two years) of the National Latino Peace Officer Association, Central Florida Chapter.