OFM Feature - Buddy Dyer - FINAL_Pages 3 / 14 / 24 12 : 36 PM Page 2 Left : With wife Susie and dog Sammie Below : With his mother , son Trey and grandson Forrest . Q & A You were born in Orlando and grew up in Kissimmee . What are some of your fondest childhood memories of Central Florida ? One of my fondest memories of growing up was being able to go outside until the sun set and watching all the fireflies and lightning bugs . There were many years that I played baseball , and I was in as many as three different leagues . You have mentioned that this will be your last term in office as mayor of Orlando . What are some of your major goals for this final term ? My goal has always been to ensure our city is a vibrant , economically viable and thriving city for everyone , now and into the future . I will contin - ue to develop Orlando as the “ Metacenter of the Metaverse ” and continue to attract and nurture Choosing partnership , unity and collaborating How do you think Orlando compares to an environment where companies with emerg - across party lines to get things done for the bet - other major cities in the country ? ing technologies of all kinds can prosper . terment of our city . Together with our commu - We don’t like to compare Orlando to other Additionally , we look forward to the imple - nity , we’ve worked to make Orlando one of the cities , but we do like other cities to compare mentation of DTO 2.0 and the completion of greatest cities in America . That didn’t happen themselves to Orlando . However , we do believe Phase Two of our Creative Village with the by accident , but with strategic partnerships and we have all the high - quality amenities of a very transformation of the Bob Carr Theater that working together for the greater good . large city and yet still have a small neighborhood will add to the innovation and educational hub atmosphere . and technology ecosystem that exists in the Par - What is a typical day in your life like ? ramore neighborhood . There is no typical day in the life of the mayor . How did you get the nickname Buddy ? Transportation is also front of mind as we Even what is on my calendar is not likely to be My father’s name was John Dyer , and I am look to expand SunRail to the airport and I - exactly what I do on any given day . We try our John Dyer Jr . My dad’s nickname was “ Butch ” Drive , as well as create more transit options for best to anticipate things , but there are many sur - and my mother did not want me to be called our community . We are also committed to cre - prises that come up . “ Little Butch . ” So , I became “ Buddy . ” My son ating a Pulse memorial through taking a John Dyer III is nicknamed “ Trey , ” and my thoughtful , collaborative approach to under - How would you describe Orlando to grandson is John Dyer IV and he’s “ Forrest . ” stand the history of the effort and to ensure someone who has never visited our city ? We now have five generations where we have there is a memorial that honors the victims , While it is a city that is known worldwide , it’s not had a female born in our family , yet . those impacted by the tragedy and pays tribute also one that people may not realize what it’s to the resiliency of Orlando . actually like to live here . It’s an incredibly What are your favorite things to do in diverse and welcoming city that offers an array Orlando ? What would you like your legacy as mayor of amenities for all ages and a very high quality It’s evolved over time . When my children were to be ? of life . young , or in high school , the things I liked to do generally revolved around their activities . Now one of my favorite things to do is to walk in var - ious neighborhoods and parks around our city and take [ our dog ] Sammie for a stroll . Orlando is often referred to as the “ Theme Park Capital of the World . ” Do you have a favorite theme park ride ? Theme park rides are like children . I can’t pick among them . What is something most people are surprised to learn about you ? I played rugby at Brown University and John F . Kennedy Jr . played on the team , along with the president of Bank of America , Brian Moynihan . Left : Observing a child learning healthy cooking at the Edible Education Experience OORRLLAANNDDOO FFAAMMI ILLYY | | J AA PN RU IALR Y2 0220 42 2 | | O OR LR AL AN ND DO OF FA AMMI LI LY YMMAAGGAAZZI INNEE . . CCOOMM | | 1279