Since leaving Cuba for Miami, Herman Echevarria has carved out a high-profile life in business and politics.

In his 20s, Mr. Echevarria got his start in the public arena when he was named chairman of the board of directors of the Hialeah Chamber of Commerce. He applied his ideas on how to improve Hialeah’s business climate by bringing local and national business people together. While in Hialeah, he also was elected as City Council president.

Mr. Echevarria gravitated to the Republican Party but says he has since opened his political views to Democratic platforms.

Spurred by his interest in public affairs, he has worked as a political strategist, acting as an advisor to former Miami-Dade County mayor Alex Penelas

Previously, he was appointed to the US Small Business Administration’s National Advisory Council. He served as chairman of the Mayor’s International Trade Council of Miami-Dade County, as a board member at St. Thomas University, and as board chairman of the Miami Symphony Orchestra, among other positions.

Currently, he is a board member of the Beacon Council, the county’s economic development agency, and sits on the executive committee at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach.

A longtime advertising executive, Mr. Echevarria now owns a Miami advertising agency, BVKmeka, whose clients include the Dominican Republic. BVK has developed an advertising campaign to boost tourism to the country.

When he’s not in the office, Mr. Echevarria stays involved in Miami civic affairs, currently spearheading fundraising and other efforts to perserve downtown’s historic Olympia Theater at the Gusman Theater for the Performing Arts.

Mr. Echevarria and his wife, Alexia, gained national exposure from appearing on Bravo’s Housewives of Miami.

Mr. Echevarria spoke about his passion for advertising, politics and civic affairs with Miami Today staff writer Scott Blake in his Brickell Avenue office.