SPEAKERS

August 26, 2024

Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie M. Wise is a longtime public servant with extensive experience in executive leadership, public finance, and municipal bonds. Appointed County Administrator in 2020, Bonnie leads a diverse county with 1.5 million residents, more than 5,000 employees, and an annual budget of over $9 billion. Bonnie advocates for an atmosphere of innovation and collaboration among County employees, public- and private-sector stakeholders, and the broader community with her mantra of “one team, one county, and one community.” Bonnie first joined the County executive team in April 2011, serving as Deputy County Administrator and Chief Financial Administrator. During her career with Hillsborough County, Bonnie’s responsibilities have included leadership of Affordable Housing Services, Management & Budget, Debt Management, Economic Development, Enterprise Solutions & Quality Assurance, Extension Services, Fleet Management, Grants Management, Human Resources, Procurement Services, and Risk Management. Before joining Hillsborough County, Bonnie served as the Chief Financial Officer for the City of Tampa for 8 years, overseeing various departments and the City’s $787 million budget.

Prior to her public sector positions, Bonnie served as Senior Vice President of William R. Hough & Co. in Public Finance, and Vice President of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., in Public Finance. During her 16-year career in the private sector, Bonnie acted in the capacity of financial advisor or underwriter on more than $5 billion of bonds for various municipalities throughout the state of Florida. Additional work focused on the issuance of single-family and multi-family mortgage revenue bonds for affordable housing developments.

Bonnie is a member of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Committee, Tampa Bay History Center Board, Florida West Coast Credit Union Board, the Florida League of Cities Investment Advisory Committee, the University of South Florida Muma College of Business Dean’s Executive Advisory Council, Women in Public Finance, and the Florida Government Finance Officers Association (FGFOA). She has also served on the City of Tampa General Employees Pension Board, Chair of the Housing Finance Authority of Hillsborough County, and as a member of the Hillsborough County Investment Advisory Committee.

Outside of her professional duties and affiliations, Bonnie is active in her community. She donates her time as a Board member of the TOP Jewish Foundation, and the Advisory Council of Tampa Jewish Family Services. She previously served on the Board for Tampa Preparatory School, Congregation Rodeph Sholom, and completed a term as president of The Centre for Women Board of Directors. Bonnie is an avid mah jongg player. She hosts tournaments and teaches mah jongg to raise money for various charities.

Bonnie holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, both from the University of Florida. Bonnie has been a resident of Hillsborough County for more than 30 years, where she and her husband have raised their two children.