Florez, Drupal Connect CEO, to Run for City Council

John Florez, CEO and founder of the fast-growing Drupal Connect, is running for Newport City Council.

Florez announced his candidacy for councilor-at-large today and said he is an effective leader and he has a "fearless and bold leadership style."

"I feel strong leadership requires innovative thinking, as well as the ability to convey ideas and work in a collaborative manner with your colleagues," he said. "But most importantly, strong leadership requires courage. I'm not afraid to support an unpopular idea because I know it's in the best interest of the community at large."

Florez, who lives in Newport with his wife Karen and two children, Martha and Nefi, serves on the Newport Finance Review Committee, which has been exploring cost savings and revenue generation possibilities for Newport. And many of his proposals "come directly from the months of collective research our group has conducted," he said.

Drupal Connect is a Web development company that was voted the 266th fastest growing company in the United States by Inc. Magazine two years ago and employs about 50 people.

Along with touting his business success, Florez said his business has created an opportunity to give back to the community.

"We make it a point to foster in our employees a strong commitment to giving back to our community. We have held coat drives, organized weekly mentoring of children at the PellSchool, and we sponsor the annual Drupal Connect Block Party to benefit Boys Town of New England, an organization where I proudly serve as a board member," he said.

Florez is running unaffiliated with any political party.