Meet Steve
Beyond Royal Palm Beach Mayoral Candidacy
Explore Steve Avila’s humble yet diverse background, and get to know the man beyond the campaign and mayoral candidacy, and discover the qualities and traits that define public service.
Roots and Education
Steve’s path to becoming a dedicated public servant in Royal Palm Beach started when the Avila family moved to the village when Steve was just seven years old. He commenced his schooling at Cypress Trails Elementary, showcasing his commitment to education from an early age. A standout student, Steve graduated first in his class from Royal Palm Beach High School, embodying the qualities that make a true public servant and was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by his peers.
Steve’s academic journey is marked by excellence, earning him prestigious recognitions such as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Triunfo Award, the Palm Beach Post Pathfinder Fourth Place Award in Foreign Language, and the J.M. Rubin Foundation Scholarship. His deep-seated passion for public service also earned him the President’s Volunteer Service Award and former County Commissioner Jess Santamaria’s My Brothers’/Sisters’ Keeper Award, demonstrating his dedication to community service.
Steve continued his academic journey at Dartmouth College, delving into Romance Studies with a focus on Portuguese and French, and a minor in Hispanic Studies. During his time at Dartmouth, Steve was a Murray Sams, Jr. 1945 Scholar and received the Joseph Dallet, Jr. ’27 Memorial Prize for Excellence in Spanish and Portuguese.
Experience
GLOBAL
PERSPECTIVE
Steve’s professional journey into civil service took him abroad to countries, including Honduras, France, Brazil, Georgia, and China. He is not just a co-owner of Ivypedia, an overseas college admissions consulting firm, and now manages its U.S. branch, SA Global Strategies. Steve’s global experiences enriched not only his business acumen but also his cultural competency, boasting fluency in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and even proficiency in Mandarin and conversational skills in Russian and Cantonese.
Overall, Steve has visited 75 countries and territories, all of which has contributed to his perspective and viewpoint on being a committed public servant and its aspects of community service, sustainable development, and good governance for Royal Palm Beach.
COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT
Unwavering in his commitment as a dedicated Royal Palm Beach, Steve is deeply involved in the community as a member of various civic and business organizations. These include the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club, Hispanic Vote of Palm Beach County, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County/Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Steve is also the Vice President of the Dartmouth Club of the Palm Beaches and a volunteer for the Dartmouth College Fund.
POLITICAL AND
PUBLIC SERVICE
Having the natural character of being a public servant, Steve Avila dedicated time to volunteer and work for the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners for eight months while managing his admissions consulting company. He addressed constituent inquiries across District 6, which encompasses Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee Groves, the Acreage, and the Glades. He kept the residents updated on County developments and conducted site visits to key facilities, including the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County. In addition to his direct service as a civil servant, Steve liaised with leaders statewide and nationally, participating in the 2023 Palm Beach Days in Tallahassee and the 2023 National Association of Counties Annual Conference in Austin. He also played a pivotal role in organizing and facilitating district events like town halls, enhancing community engagement and dialogue.
Steve’s passion for the electoral process and involvement in politics over the years has allowed him to establish relationships at the local, state, and federal levels. He wishes to leverage these relationships and give a voice for his hometown, Royal Palm Beach.
Why Steve is Running
Steve Avila embodies the American Dream. He is the son of Honduran immigrants and a first-generation college graduate, upholding the values of perseverance and community service. Vying for the position of mayor in this coming 2024 election, his campaign is fueled by the aim to infuse fresh energy and innovative strategies into the governance of Royal Palm Beach, his hometown.
