Born in Pinar Del Rio, Cuba, Jose “Pepe” Diaz is a veteran and former U.S. Marine. Married with three daughters, he has called Sweetwater, FL home for over 30 years. Upon ending his military service, he began his public service career as Chairman of the City of Sweetwater Police Retirement Trust Fund Board, subsequently serving on the City of Sweetwater Commission and later elected Mayor of Sweetwater in May 1999. He currently serves as Miami-Dade County’s Military Liaison, Chairman of Miami-Dade County’s Military Affairs Board and serves as Commissioner for District 12, previously Vice-Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.