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The Center for Urban Transportation Research inducted Sylvan (Sonny) Holtzman, to the Florida Transportation Hall of Fame, honoring Holtzman for more than 60 years of dedication to transportation as a lawyer and public servant.
“I had the fortunate opportunity to interact with Sonny Holtzman many years ago at numerous events, including his active involvement with TEAM-FL,” said Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Kevin J. Thibault. “Each and every time I found that his passion for providing an efficient transportation system was important to him, and he realized that it would take effective partnerships to make that happen. This recognition captures that career-spanning passion and is truly a capstone to a successful partnership.”
Holtzman was the founding chair of the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority and served as chair for six consecutive terms. In 2012, Holtzman was appointed to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Intelligent Transportation Systems Program Advisory Committee. He also served as chair of the Transportation and Expressway Membership of Florida (TEAMFL) and is on its board of directors, representing the corporate and private sector members of the organization. He has frequently spoken on innovations in violation enforcement before the IBTTA (International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association).
Holtzman also served as chair of the Florida Pari-mutuel Commission, chair of Gov. Lawton Chiles’ transition Governance Committee and co-chair of the governor’s second-term inaugural committee. Currently, Holtzman serves on the CUTR Advisory Board.
“The expressway authorities, the Department of Transportation and the Florida Turnpike, TEAM Florida and CUTR all deserve to be honored for the work they do day in and day out,” Holtzman said. “I am honored they chose me to receive this recognition.”
Holtzman also served on the board of directors for a Miami community bank for more than 25 years and acted as honorary counsel for the Republic of Panama in Miami for 10 years.
After obtaining his business administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Holtzman joined the U.S. Army and was awarded the Korean War Service Medal. He subsequently earned his law degree at the University of Miami while serving as editor-in-chief of the Miami Law Review.
Sonny Holtzman resides in Miami with his wife, Lani, of 41 years. They are parents to five children and have 11 grandchildren.
The Florida Transportation Hall of Fame distinction is awarded annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to transportation. Recent inductees to the Florida Hall of Fame include former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferré, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Jim Ely and Wayne Rich.
