The Town of Miami Lakes introduced new Finance Director/Chief Financial Officer Kay Grant during the Aug. 9 council meeting.
Grant, 53, of Pembroke Pines, has worked in the town for eight years as budget manager and comptroller.
Town Manager Edward Pidermann said of Grant, “I knew who needed to be promoted from within.”
Departing Chief Financial Officer Ismael Diaz suggested to Pidermann that Grant replace him.
After seven years in Miami Lakes, Diaz left on Aug. 1 to be finance director in the city of Margate.
“It’s a great city,” Diaz said in July. “I always call it the oasis of Miami-Dade. Great staff, great people, great atmosphere.
“And first and foremost, it’s the council. They’ve always been supportive of what we do,” he said.
Diaz took the Margate job to be closer to his home. He was celebrated during the meeting for his hard work and dedication to the town.
Grant called the moment bittersweet as she bid him farewell.
“We worked closely together,” Grant told Diaz. “Most of all you’re a leader, my mentor. I want to thank you very much for that.”
For 18 years Grant worked for the city of North Miami, as a budget analyst; accountant; budget administrator; budget manager and eventually assistant finance director.
Grant earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida Atlantic University. She is affiliated with the Government Finance Officers Association and the Florida Government Finance Officers Association, Pidermann said in a staff email.
In Miami Lakes, Grant worked on budgets, audits and reports on the town’s financial position.
“I worked with Ismael side-by-side,” Grant said. “He was a great teacher. I did it all and I think the time is right and I am ready for this.”
Grant said she has watched the town grow, and that when she first arrived, “all I saw was the cows. It’s a huge difference [today].”
While Grant said she has received offers to work elsewhere, she has stayed in the town that she considers to be her home.
“I have seen people come and go, but Miami Lakes is the place to be,” Grant said.