Ray Valdes

It is with great pride and appreciation for your support that I serve the citizens of Seminole County as the elected Tax Collector. As one of your public officials, you may wish to know more about me.
Originally from Savannah, GA, my family and I relocated from South to Central Florida in 1978. I am married, have 3 children, 4 grandsons, and am a graduate of the University of Georgia. First elected Seminole County Tax Collector in November, 1988, I have been successfully reelected each 4 year cycle, through 2012. Prior to seeking public office, I held top division and corporate management positions with three “Fortune 100 Corporations”.
Over the years, I have been elected by peers as President of all Florida Tax Collectors, President of the National Association of County Treasurers, Finance Officers, and Tax Collectors, President of the National Conference of Republican County Officials, and President of the National Association of County Hispanic Officials. Years ago I assisted in merging the thoughts of many legal scholars to develop a national position paper for reform of the US Bankruptcy Code pertaining to local, state and national tax issues, most of which were included in a bill passed by Congress in 2005. It was a pleasure to be invited and appear before a sub-committee of the US House Judiciary Committee as an “expert witness” during bill consideration.
My business experience and general background have guided me to a leadership style that has earned the Seminole County Tax Collector’s Office a reputation of consistantly being one of the most efficient and friendly government offices in Seminole County, in the State of Florida, and in the nation. It was an honor to be selected by a panel of independent national judges as the United States “County Treasurer/Tax Collector of the Year” in 1999.
