HON. ORLANDO GUDES
Born on August 10, 1967, Orlando Gudes attended Bethune Cookman College, Saint Leo University and National Louis University. He has an Associates in Arts degree, Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Behavioral Science and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management Administration. Orlando is dedicated to his community having served as an Officer with the Tampa Police Department for over 26 years. In 2005, he founded the Unity Football Conference, a football and cheerleading league focused on athletic and scholastic achievement for underprivileged youth. As the Executive Director, Orlando has led the group to over 10,000 participants from across the southeast. As a small business owner, Orlando serves as the Director of Operations at his family-owned establishment, Gudes Funeral Home. Orlando Gudes has served on the Charter Review Board, the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership CAC, Hillsborough County Human Relations Board, Neighborhood Accountability Board, and the NFL YET Center Board as well as many others. He also has active memberships in a host of organizations, including Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Florida Democratic Black Caucus (State Sgt. at Arms), Grand Krewe Libertalia, Pride of West Tampa Masonic Lodge #1, and the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP. He was inducted into the American Youth Football Hall of Fame, was honored as the National Youth Crime Watch of America Officer of the Year, and received the Legacy Fellowship of Churches and Ministries Community Service Award.