Anthony has dedicated nearly 20 years of his professional journey to serving the City of Fort Lauderdale. It all began after he earned his graduate degree from Florida Atlantic University, where he embarked on a career path deeply rooted in conservation. Prior to joining the City, he worked for the Army Corps of Engineers, the South Florida Water Management District, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on several projects, including the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project.

His tenure with the City started in 2005 as a Planner. Over the years, Anthony's commitment and expertise led to significant milestones within the organization. He rose from Planner to Zoning Administrator in 2011 and then to Director of Development Services from 2016 to 2022. In recognition of his leadership and dedication, Anthony was promoted to Assistant City Manager in 2022. Throughout his tenure, Anthony has spearheaded numerous municipal code amendments, managed large-scale planning projects, championed historic preservation efforts, and fostered effective collaboration with external agencies and internal resources. Anthony recognizes the importance of sound leadership and believes in leading by example. 

Laura Reece has been with the City of Fort Lauderdale for 12 years, serving in various positions, most recently as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

During her tenure with the City, Laura’s proudest accomplishments have been supporting the City in keeping a low millage rate for our community while maintaining and enhancing service levels and obtaining a AAA Bond Rating. Most recently, she and her OMB team have led the City’s Reimagine City Hall efforts, and she is part of the Bloomberg Harvard Innovation Track to improve Public Safety for our community.

Prior to joining the City, Laura enjoyed a career in government finance and management in South Florida for over 20 years working in various public organizations including Broward County, Broward Clerk of Courts and Miami Beach.

Laura is a Certified Public Finance Officer and has been an active member of professional and community organizations throughout her career. Her leadership roles have included serving as the president of Young Professionals for Covenant House, president and past president of the South Florida Chapter of Florida Government Finance Officers Association, and as the Conference Host Chair for the Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA). She has also been a part of the FGFOA mentorship program and represented the Florida Government Finance Officers Association as a member of the Broward County School Board Bond Oversight Committee for over 5 years. Currently, she serves as the Vice Chair of the GFOA Budget Standing Committee.

Laura is especially passionate about helping decision-makers make sound, data-driven decisions and develop plans to ensure appropriate funding for community needs and long-term financial sustainability.

Ben Rogers joined the City of Fort Lauderdale in 2018 as the Deputy Director of the Transportation and Mobility Department before being promoted to Director in 2019. Over the past five years, Rogers has led the City’s efforts to provide a multi-modal, livable, and sustainable transportation network. Rogers has overseen transportation planning, traffic operations, transit services, project managers, and parking services. Rogers served as the primary point of contact for large city projects and initiatives, including the Las Olas Marina, the new Federal Courthouse, Las Olas Mobility, and New River Crossing, and assisted with other large-scale unsolicited proposal projects.

Prior to joining the City, Rogers held a position at Cleveland State University, working on campus-wide initiatives as the Director of Program Analysis and Assessments. His early career experience was in the parking and transportation industry, both public and private, where Rogers gained over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, and operational excellence. Rogers earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration from Ball State University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.  

Chris Cooper came to the City of Fort Lauderdale in 2018 as the Deputy Director of the Development Services Department (DSD) and in 2020, he was promoted to Department Director. As of August 2024, Chris serves as Acting Assistant City Manager overseeing the City’s Neighbor Support Division, Development Services Department, and leading the City’s initiatives to address homelessness. During his time with the City of Fort Lauderdale, Chris has been involved in significant projects related to the overall development of the City including the creation of the Uptown Urban Village district, codifying the Downtown Master Plan, implementing a paperless development and building permit program, implementing the City’s service request platform known as FIXITFTL, and consolidating the City’s Customer Service helpline under DSD.

Chris brings a 20-year career in local government management to Fort Lauderdale. Prior to coming to south Florida, Chris spent over 11 years with the City of Gainesville, Florida, first working in the City Manager’s Office as the Grant and Intergovernmental Affairs Coordinator and later as the manager of the City’s Code Enforcement Division. Before that, Chris was a Planner for Marion County, Florida focused on the County’s entitlement grant program that managed CDBG, HOME, and SHIP funds used for community development projects and affordable housing programs.

Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Florida State University and a master’s degree in Public Affairs from the University of Florida. He is an AICP certified planner by the American Planning Association and a certified Code Enforcement Professional by the Florida Association of Code Enforcement.