Selected for CCSU Alumni Association Community Service Award
Jerry Libbin, a respected civic leader, business executive, community advocate, and former Miami Beach City Commissioner, is being recognized for more than four decades of extraordinary public service and community leadership through his nomination for the Community Service Award presented by the CCSU Alumni Association.
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The award honors graduates whose exceptional community service and contributions have advanced the improvement of society while reflecting positively on Central Connecticut State University and its mission. Libbin’s distinguished career embodies those values through a lifetime dedicated to civic engagement, neighborhood preservation, economic development, education, and public service.
Originally from Worcester, Libbin relocated to Miami Beach in 1982 and quickly emerged as a passionate community builder. One of his earliest leadership roles was serving as the founding Executive Director of the Miami Beach Jewish Community Center, where he helped establish impactful programs serving families, seniors, and youth throughout the region.
Over the years, Libbin devoted countless hours to volunteer and appointed leadership positions, including service with the Normandy Shores Homeowners Association, the Miami Beach Budget Advisory Committee, and the City Planning Board. During his tenure on the Planning Board, he played a key role in establishing Neighborhood Conservation Districts, empowering residents to help shape development decisions and preserve the character of Miami Beach neighborhoods.
In 2005, Libbin was elected to the Miami Beach City Commission, where he served until 2013. As commissioner, he championed fiscal responsibility, environmental sustainability, public education, infrastructure improvements, and government transparency. His leadership demonstrated a longstanding belief that economic growth and community preservation can successfully coexist.
While serving on the Commission, Libbin was selected in 2010 as President and CEO of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, a role he held through 2023. Under his leadership, the Chamber expanded its impact as a driving force for business advocacy, tourism promotion, and economic development. He also fostered meaningful partnerships among government agencies, nonprofits, business leaders, and cultural institutions while launching initiatives recognizing entrepreneurship, diversity, women’s leadership, and veterans.
In 2022, Libbin underwent both a heart and kidney transplant, a transformative experience that inspired him to author the book Chambers of the Heart, reflecting on resilience, gratitude, leadership, and the importance of community support during life’s greatest challenges.
Jerry Libbin’s enduring legacy is defined by service, perseverance, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others — qualities that strongly reflect the spirit and purpose of the CCSU Alumni Association Community Service Award.
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