Mayor Buddy Dyer Biography
As Mayor, Buddy Dyer is focused on shaping Orlando into a community where collaboration and unity are the keys to helping every resident thrive. Mayor Dyer has worked to increase partnerships between Central Florida’s government organizations, businesses, non-profit groups and residents, helping Orlando become a vibrant, inclusive community with an unmatched quality of life for those who call The City Beautiful home.
Mayor Dyer is determined to ensure that all residents are treated equally, are equally protected and have equitable access to opportunities that help them thrive. Recent City of Orlando actions to support that mission include expanding successful youth programs like the Parramore Kidz Zone and My Brother’s Keeper Orlando so academic support, mentoring and career training can be offered to more young residents. Under Mayor Dyer’s leadership, a Community Response Team was created so trained behavioral health professionals responding to some non-violent 911 calls instead of law enforcement officers, connecting those in need to treatment and support.
Mayor Dyer is leading the efforts to diversify Central Florida’s economy and create a new breed of high-wage careers in cutting-edge industries like life sciences and technology. Innovation hubs have been created at Medical City in Lake Nona and in downtown’s Creative Village, a 68-acre site with the UCF Downtown, Valencia College Downtown campus and the new Orlando studio of Electronic Arts.
Orlando has also become one of the best places nationally to start a business. The city’s Orlando Main Streets program is helping small businesses succeed, while offering residents unique goods, services and experiences. Recent Orlando accomplishments also include new community venues – the Amway Center, the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and Exploria Stadium - and the renovation of Camping World Stadium. The venues have brought world-class entertainment and sporting events to the city, and even more visitors to the region.
Mayor Dyer’s commitment to public safety is reflected in the Orlando Fire Department’s status as one of the elite departments in the entire country and the Orlando Police Department increasing its community policing efforts to further reduce crime and help residents build bonds with officers.
Mayor Dyer is the leading voice for Orlando, and all of Central Florida, to address challenges that are impacting cities nationwide, including homelessness and affordable housing. The City of Orlando is helping advance the shared priority that every resident has a safe place to sleep and their basic needs of clothing, food and hygiene are met. Mayor Dyer is also ensuring that the need for safe, affordable housing for residents is addressed by making investments and collaborating to bring new and rehabilitated apartments and homes to the city.
Recognizing the need for more transit options, Mayor Dyer is an advocate for the expansion of mobility options. Advances under his leadership include SunRail, Central Florida’s first commuter rail system that launched in 2014, and an increase to the city’s bike trail network. He has also made sustainability a priority for the City of Orlando to ensure that Orlando continues to be a desirable place to live, work and play.
Mayor Dyer helped the community come together following the June 2016 Pulse nightclub tragedy, vowing that Orlando would not be defined by one hateful act that took the lives of 49 people, but instead by responding with love and compassion. The unity was on display in the hours after the tragedy when residents waited for hours to donate blood, and later at vigils and memorials and as millions of dollars were raised to support victims’ families and survivors through the OneOrlando Fund.
Prior to being elected Mayor, he served in the Florida Senate. Mayor Dyer earned his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Brown University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida College of Law. He was born in Orlando and raised in nearby Kissimmee. Mayor Dyer is married to Susie and is the proud father of two sons, Trey and Drew, and a beloved dog, Sammie.