Meet Alex

Born in 1960 in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Alex arrived in the United States as a ten-month-old infant with her family under political refugee status. Sponsored by a church in Randolph, Massachusetts, Alex’s parents began creating a permanent home for themselves in their newly adopted country. Fleeing from political persecution (Alex’s uncle served 18 years in a Cuban jail for distribution of anti-government information), the Vizosos instilled in their children a sense of gratitude and civic awareness regarding the democracy they so valued in the United States. Freedom of speech and participation was always a topic of conversation, as was the need to stay informed and active in government affairs. West Palm Beach is Alex’s hometown. She grew up here and attended local schools, graduating from Forest Hill High School in 1977, after which she attended Palm Beach Community College.

Since 1982, Alex has been a real estate agent, earning her broker’s license one year later. Her real estate practice has been dedicated primarily to handling her family’s real estate investments and those of friends who value her ability. As a Realtor and member of the local Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches and member of the Regional Multiple Listing Services, Alex remains informed and current on all issues pertaining to residential and commercial real estate issues. Although not actively engaged in the listing and selling of real estate for the general public, her family activities have served to keep her current on changes in the law, contract negotiations and the skills she uses to serve her community.

Alex was appointed to the City of West Palm Beach's Planning and Zoning Board by Mayor Joel Daves and served for two terms. Her knowledge and skill set added a “resident’s perspective” , as stated by planning department staff. Her sensitivity and sensibility of impacts made by development and growth brought a balance to the Board. Serving on the Planning and Zoning Board, Alex demonstrated the ability to work with others, analyze and critique data and ask the right questions in order to vote on matters of great importance to the City. Her leadership brought a different voice for the public and not a rubber stamp approval.

The West Palm Beach Planning and Zoning Board was only one of many volunteer boards and organizations to which Alex devoted her energy and time. The Junior League of the Palm Beaches, Connor Moran Children’s Cancer Foundation, Aspira, American Red Cross, HisPac, and the Palm Beach Community Church were other entities on which Alex served in various leadership capacities.

As a member of the Junior League, whose stated mission it is to “promote volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers”, Alex participated in numerous projects during her 10 years of membership. As Chairperson for vital community endeavors, Alex recognized the importance of community participation and collaboration. One project of which Alex is most proud is the Fun Zone at Gaines Park. As identified on the Junior League web site, “The Fun Zone Community Playground project, which raised over $45,000 from the community plus many thousands of dollars worth of donated materials, organized and coordinated the building of a 10,000 square foot, multi-leveled, wooden play structure in Gaines Park. Approximately 2,300 community volunteers participated in this project.” In 1991-92 Alex chaired this challenging effort which took one year to organize and one weekend to build. It was a true collaboration of government working with a charitable organization, to empower and enroll the community in full participation on all levels. Businesses, schools, elected officials and numerous volunteer organizations came together to create what Alex refers to as a “labor of love”. Although challenging and intense, gathering of support from all the stakeholders, the fund-raising and implementation was done effectively under Alex’s leadership. She remains proud of the energy and excitement it generated, but more importantly, she was happy to be able to deliver the safe and wonderful final product of an extraordinary play area for the local children.

Alex served in many other capacities while a member of the League, including leadership positions on the Executive Committee, as well as establishing the relocation of the League Thrift Shop. This required and employed the skill sets she had gained from owning her own business Cherubs Maternity and Children’s Wear on Village Boulevard.

Cherubs Maternity was founded by Alex while pregnant with her son Chase. Seeing the need for beautiful, stylish maternity clothing, Alex delved into the retail industry with no formal knowledge or experience in clothing sales. After eight years of a rewarding and successful endeavor, Alex decided that she wanted to change careers for something very different. When the lease came up for renewal, she made a very risky decision and closed the store. From there, what happened next gave Alex the confidence she exhibits today to face with determination and strength whatever needs to be done.

In 1993, Alex bought a business which consisted of a client list, a van, and a few old, worn core drilling machines. The business, Core Drilling Plus, became Alex’s new project. With a pink hard hat, a determined spirit and a will to succeed, she entered the male-dominated field of construction. No stranger to construction sites (as a child she would go with her father as his interpreter to his construction jobs), she ventured into an area, again with no prior experience, to face whatever challenges came her way. After one year of drilling holes herself through concrete and steel, she built up the business enough to hire a crew. Never one to be afraid of work, she taught skills to her employees which she had learned herself. As well as the actual act of drilling, Alex ran the accounts receivables, invoicing and ordering of new diamond bits. Proud of her company and self-taught accounting skills, she had found a business she was prepared to further expand. However, love would direct her to the best part of life today, her marriage to Robert L. Saylor. As a practicing trial litigator, Robert admired and appreciated Alex’s business acumen and shortly after marrying she would sell her business, devoting herself to helping Robert in his law practice. As partners, they still work together at the Law Offices of Robert L. Saylor, both in the office and during trials. She can be seen in the halls of the courthouse, supporting and assisting her husband with trial exhibits and research. She claims that after 12 years of marriage to a trial attorney her skills of arguing and preparing a case have made her sharp as a tack.

At the urging of a friend, Alex saw another challenge before her when she ran for West Palm Beach City Commission in 1999. Although a neophyte in city government, she brought with her a willingness to learn as evidenced by her previous endeavors. Little did she know that the call to serve her community would lead her to become an advocate and watchdog for many years to come. Although she lost that race to Mary Brandenberg, she was proud that she had made it to the runoff with a platform of community and service. The Palm Beach Post called Alex a “civic-minded” resident who could serve her community well.

Since that time, Alex has remained an engaged citizen on multiple levels of community involvement. As President of her neighborhood association, Northwood Shores Neighborhood Association, she established and provided a newsletter to keep her neighbors informed and engaged. During her term and under her leadership, the small neighborhood fund-raiser Beaujolais Nouveau has emerged as a wonderful evening of fun and community spirit which is anticipated by many residents city-wide. Under her guidance, the issue of Historic Designation was brought forward for the neighborhood to consider.

For eight years, Alex has served on numerous boards and organizations. ASPIRA of Palm Beach was especially important to her as it set forth to address those teens in the minority community who were at risk of dropping-out of high school. ASPIRA addresses those areas which Alex firmly believes are the core of a healthy society: advocacy, education and leadership skills taught to the future of our society, its youth. Inspired by the successes she witnessed of the local ASPIRA Council, Alex and Robert established and funded a scholarship fund for senior graduates who wanted to continue on to higher education. Having attained an associates degree from Palm Beach Community College, and wishing that she had continued her studies, this scholarship brought a sense of accomplishment--seeing others grow in education. Alex claims to have a Ph.D in Life Experience. Although self-taught in business, as attested to by her prior business accomplishments and successes, she has always wished to go back to college. She looks forward to the day when she will be a student again, not just for a degree but for more in-depth knowledge. Her favorite subjects are history, art and philosophy.

As a proud member of the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, Alex served in leadership roles on the Finance Committee and Nominating Committee, as well as serving on the Executive Committee Board. Her active participation and steadfast commitment has earned her the admiration and respect of many current and past members. After her six-year term ended, she continues to remain in touch with many board members she now calls friends. She is especially proud of her friends: past Board Chairmen Steve Mayans and Robert Dillingham, as well as current Board Chairman Dr. Mary Ann Dupont.

It is in this spirit of community service that Alex today finds herself stepping forward and taking the role of advocate to a higher level of service which will ultimately reach all the residents of the City of West Palm Beach. With her background, commitment and fearless ability to tackle even the most difficult of tasks, she will serve all the residents and stakeholders in a straightforward manner with integrity and honesty.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you can not do.” In Alex’s words: “I am running as a leader, not as a politician. I have a servant’s heart and by simply stepping forward to place myself on this ballot, I am serving our community.” Her heart for public service prompts her to face any obstacle with determination and perseverance.

Board

American Red Cross, Aspira, Conor Moran Cancer Foundation, Northwood Shores Neighborhood Association, Northend Coalition Of Neighborhoods, HISPAC, West Palm Beach Planning & Zoning

Memberships

Junior League, Palm Beach Community Church, Realtors Association, Multiple Listing Services, Northwood Shores Neighborhood Association, Mounts Botanical Gardens

Business Experience

Real Estate, Clothing Retail, Construction Demolition, Legal Trial Aid, Office Administration