Meet Marlene | Marlene Shaw

"The heart of our city beats in its people and the

strength of our community lies with each of you.

I am committed to serving all of you,

with honesty and dedication."

Hello, I’m Marlene Shaw. THANK YOU for visiting!

BRINGING EXPERIENCE AND HEART TO THE COUNCIL

I have lived in Gulfport for 30 years and it is my forever home. It is my life and my passion, and I continue to form a deep relationship with the community. I have seen the changes. I’m well aware of the previous negative reputation and how we used to be called a secret. Now, we are a destination. And now more than ever, we need an independent look, an open mind and fresh perspective to determine solutions to unprecedented challenges, especially considering storm recovery and fiscal prudence.

It’s important to note that the majority of council members have no specific training or experience to prepare them for serving on a council. I bring specific experience and skills:

I consider myself a lucky person to have had the experience of managing the casino, theater and city events and to have been assigned and and be the driving force in the creation of GeckoFest during that time. I was also a part of the team involved with the exciting renovation of the Historic Casino and construction of the theater that we can be so proud of.
My career in community management included all aspects of financial, administrative and physical plant management. I owned and operated my own management firm for 14 years, and served in managerial positions such as a Director of Management Services and Executive Officer for other companies. My daily work was fundamentally similar to city government.
My list of volunteerisms over the years has contributed to extraordinary experiences.
I am engaged in the community: I regularly attend council meetings, town hall meetings, Fusion 49^th District meetings, and various other meetings and discussions in our community.
I talk to folks in our community out of a desire to gain and maintain a pulse of our community.
I read the polls and survey results done by groups within our community.

These all have contributed to my knowledge and understanding of our community and how the city works.

Vision. Work Style. Experience.

I think those are what the job requires, and probably in that order. Experience is fine and I have a lot of it, but more important is ‘who did we become while getting that experience?’

Vision: Gulfport is special by being an independently operated city with less than 12,000 residents, and I value that independent attitude. I value the loving and cheerful spirit that has blossomed over the 30 years I’ve called it home. I cherish the art, the music, the food, the bay, the smiles from passersby during walks down oak covered brick streets. I want to protect that spirit...the experience that I love every day.

But I want more for us. Our city can improve the delivery of services to its people. It can better address the needs of the future. It can be more open, inclusive and transparent in dealings with its people. That’s my vision. Defend the good thing we have while making it better.

Work Style: I’m a problem solver. That’s in my personality and has defined my career. It calls for collaboration, persuasion standing up for what is right. Whatever it takes to get to a successful solution while maintaining good working relationships...that’s what I do.

Experience: I have managed people and places (please see ‘RESUME’). I’m proud to have worked within the City of Gulfport and I understand how it functions. Experience is valuable and I believe mine has prepared me to serve effectively on Council. By itself, though, experience is not the solution for good government or incumbency would be the only criteria.

I want to hear from you. And I will listen. I will be your voice.

I am a collaborator and can work across the table.
I am results driven. What I say I will do, I do.
What I don’t know, I dig into to learn.
We often hear why we should not or cannot do something. I am a problem solver and seek solutions.
I recognize that change is inevitable, but I want to help manage these changes so we may maintain the spirit of our community.
I want to hold townhalls and meet with individuals.
I have listened and helped folks impacted by the storm - and want to continue to help. Suffering predates the hurricanes, but it is now exacerbated. I will not forget what I have seen and heard.
I believe we must work together for the betterment of our community.

Professional Expertise:

Licensed Florida Community Association Manager
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker
Former holder of the nation’s highest designation for community association managers (PCAM)

Credentials and Certifications (now retired):

Certified Manager of Community Associations
Association Management Specialist
Professional Community Association Manager (highest professional designation available nationwide that demonstrates advanced skills and knowledge)
Professional Management Development Program (PMDP)
Extensive training in: Financial Management, Budgeting and Reserves
Crisis Management
Leadership and Communications
Environmental and Physical Property Management
Hurricane Preparedness
Community Safety and Security

Past Leadership Roles

Commodore, Boca Ciega Yacht Club (progressive leadership through multiple positions)
President and Treasurer of Gulfport’s City of Imagination
Board Member, various community organizations
Leader, Neighborhood Crime Watch
Gulfport Public Arts Advisory Committee Co-Chairperson

Environmental and Civic Memberships:

National Wildlife Federation
Sierra Club
Audubon Society
Florida Wildlife
Gulfport Community Players

Other Volunteerisms: