OUR Executive board
Domingo Montoute-Howard, President
Domingo Montoute-Howard is a retired police officer from the Miami Dade Police Department. He comes from a law enforcement family and believes that there is no higher calling than serving our country and community.
He has been a PLEA member, Vice President, and now serves as the President of our Association. Domingo is a strong advocate for police officers rights and has displayed the dedication needed to ensure those rights are protected.
Elena Schaffer, Vice President
Elena Schaffer is married to a retired Miami-Dade Police Reserve Officer and was a natural choice to replace our previous office manager. Elena hit the ground in full stride and hasn’t stopped yet. Her dedication to PLEA and its members goes beyond the call of duty. She has immersed herself in her work and can provide our members instantly with information concerning their rights. Elena’s warmth and personality creates an atmosphere where members feel safe and at home when they come to the office. This quality, along with her strong dedication to our members, makes her a valuable component of the PLEA team, defending the rights’ of Police Officers.
Our Attorneys
Teri Guttman Valdes, General Counsel
Teri Guttman Valdes has served as PLEA’s General Counsel since 2007. She limits her practice to the areas of labor and employment law, with an emphasis on representing public sector employees and sworn law enforcement officers. Types of cases handled include discrimination, sexual harassment, overtime, minimum wage, FMLA, OSHA, ERISA, unemployment compensation, whistleblower actions, severance agreements, pension matters as well as other labor and employment matters and civil litigation. Representation is provided in federal and state court and at the administrative, trial and appellate levels.
Ms. Valdes received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and her law degree from Nova Southeastern University School of Law. Ms. Valdes is a member of the Dade County Bar Association, Florida Bar Association, American Bar Association, the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida and United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.
Andre A. Rouviere, Assistant Counsel
Andre Rouviere has represented the Professional Law Enforcement Association and its members since 1997 in both the position of General Counsel and Assistant General counsel. For the past twelve years, he has defended the PLEA members in countless disciplines and arbitrations and provided representation on scenes when the officer needs it most.
Mr. Rouviere is a graduate of the University of South Florida and obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami in 1989. He is a member Florida Academy of Trial Lawyers, American Bar Association, Florida Academy of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Dade County Bar Association, Dade County Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
TIRED OF THE PBA FAILING ITS MEMBERS?
Are you tired of management on your Rank & File Union Board? It is time to vote in a Police Union that is going to look out for its members. The PBA has failed its members constantly and it is time for a change.