As she was sworn in as the new town clerk for Miami Lakes, the ceremony was the picture of bliss for Gina M. Inguanzo, who was joined by her husband, three children, the judge who gave her the oath of office and council members, the people in her life who she loves so much because that’s what Miami Lakes is all about.
She said her new position gives her an opportunity to help the community and town she has called home for the past 14 years.
“For me it’s essential,” she said during an exclusive interview in the council chambers at Town Hall. “I feel that I have a vested interest in not only doing a professional job, but it’s also a bonus because I am helping my town and residents. The same community that gave me a home 14 years ago.”
Born in Puerto Rico, Inguanzo replaces Marjorie Tejeda, who resigned last month.
Her duties include giving notices of all council meetings, special meetings, budget hearings and workshops to the public, keeping the minutes of all meetings, making sure the public records are preserved for years to come and serving as the supervisor for the town’s municipal elections.
But Inguanzo is no stranger to Miami Lakes Town Hall; she served as the deputy town clerk for three years under Tejeda.
“In all the three years here, I’m loving my job,” she said. “I have a good relationship with all of the council members, the mayor and town staff.
Inguanzo said there’s no better place to live and work than Miami Lakes.
“I love it here,” she said, as she looked out the window to watch the cows grazing. “It’s very peaceful to look at the green land. It’s so beautiful. It’s a small town but it is growing beautifully.”
She said no matter where she goes, whether it’s Publix, church or the parks with her kids, she always sees familiar faces.
“That’s how you get to know everyone,” she said. “I love that feeling.”
Inguanzo said though Miami Lakes is growing for the better, there’s always space for improvement like the traffic congestion and keeping the canopies and trees.
“A goal of mine is we continue to keep Miami Lakes clean and green,” she said.
Inguanzo attended the University of Rochester and Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Administration.
She also earned a Juris Doctorate and her Master's in Law from Georgetown University.
Inguanzo practiced family law and employment law in Washington D.C. before moving to Miami, where she became an immigration attorney.
She said working in immigration law was rewarding but also challenging for immigrants seeking to stay in the U.S.
“It was satisfying helping people who came to this country but they wanted to do it the right way,” she said. “But it was a challenge and I loved helping the families.”
Inguanzo said she stopped working to take care of her three children but stayed active in her community and church.
She’s a volunteer religious education Catechist at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, serves on the Bob Graham Education Center PTA and as co-chair of the Community Fund Raising Committee.
During her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family at the beach parks and taking pictures together.
Inguanzo said her favorite place is Main Street’s shops and restaurants.
“There are a lot of things in the town so you don’t have to go outside of Miami Lakes to enjoy yourself,” she said.