By Coral Gables Gazette staff

The City of Coral Gables continues to fill high-profile vacancies from within, with the latest example coming when it appointed Clifford R. Friedman as its new Director of Human Resources and Risk Management.

Friedman first joined the city in 2024 as an assistant city attorney, where he provided legal counsel to departments, staff, and boards. He now steps into a critical administrative role overseeing human resources, labor relations and risk management functions citywide. 

Friedman received his law degree from University of Miami School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Chico. He replaces Raquel Elejabarrieta, who stepped down on October 3 after more than nine years of service.

The new human resources and risk management director will get a base annual salary of $176,836 a year. He started on February 9. 

“Cliff brings extensive experience advising public and private-sector organizations on labor and employment issues, employee relations, and contract negotiations,” wrote City Manager Peter Iglesias, in a staff announcement. “His legal background and familiarity with the city’s operations position him well to lead a department whose responsibilities include labor relations, collective bargaining, workforce policy, supporting effective labor-management partnerships and ADA compliance across the organization. 

Experience in law, health, and government

According to the city’s website, Friedman brings a blend of legal and human resources experience to the role. Before joining Coral Gables, he served as in-house counsel for a publicly traded healthcare company, advising senior leadership on operations, contracts, and employment matters. He also held leadership roles with the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, including as Director of Talent and Risk Management, where he oversaw HR functions, guided executive leadership, and participated in emergency response planning.

Predecessor’s tenure and departure

Elejabarrieta’s departure late last year marked the end of a tenure that saw her rise through multiple leadership roles. She joined the city in 2016 after practicing labor law in the private sector and went on to serve as Director of Labor Relations and Risk Management before being named Director of Human Resources and Risk Management and Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Officer in 2023.

During her time with the city, she played a key role in labor negotiations, employee policy development, and diversity initiatives. In an internal message to staff, City Manager Peter Iglesias praised her “dedication, vision, and professionalism,” crediting her with strengthening HR programs and bringing fairness and diplomacy to complex labor discussions.

Her resignation came shortly after she co-led an internal investigation into improper payroll practices within the city’s Solid Waste Division. The probe found that a former employee continued receiving pay after resignation in violation of city policy, ultimately leading to multiple employee resignations. While the timing drew attention, no wrongdoing by Elejabarrieta was alleged, and she was identified in the report as a lead investigator.

Broader pattern of internal promotions

Friedman’s appointment is the latest in a series of internal promotions in the city. In June, Mayor Vince Lago’s former chief of staff, Chelsea Granell, was elevated to legislative affairs director after modifying job requirements to remove a law degree provision.

The move also follows a period of political transition at City Hall. Iglesias himself was reappointed in April 2025 after being removed the previous year amid commission turmoil, then brought back by a newly aligned commission majority.