Williamsburg, Va. (Nov. 10, 2009) — Ruben O. Carrerou, trial court administrator for Florida’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit, is the recipient of a 2009 Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest recognitions given by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to those who have made significant contributions to the judicial administration field and who have supported the mission of the National Center.
Robert N. Baldwin, NCSC executive vice president and general counsel, will present the award during Carrerou’s retirement celebration on Saturday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m., at the Miami Airport Marriott, 1201 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, Fla.
Carrerou has served the judiciary and residents of Florida for 36 years, beginning his tenure as an administrative intern with Florida’s Administrative Office of the Courts in 1973 at the age of 20. Over the next six years, he was promoted to first a trainee position and, later, to an administrative assistant. In 1979, he became the director of administrative services, a position that he held for the next two years.
After serving 14 years as the executive assistant to the chief judge, Carrerou was appointed administrator of the fourth largest trial court in the nation by Chief Judge Joseph P. Farina in September 1995.
“From his first day as an administrative intern to his last day as a court administrator, Ruben Carrerou maintained the same impeccable work ethic and willingness to learn,” said NCSC President Mary C. McQueen. “It is those qualities, coupled with his steadfast leadership to the judiciary, that have made him one of the most respected trial court administrators in the nation.”
Carrerou supported the National Center — as well as the field of court administration — through his service on its Board of Directors from 2003-09 and on the Advisory Board of NCSC’s Institute for Court Management from 2007-09. He also has served as a court administration consultant for the National Center and American University, and has been an active member of the National Association for Court Management.
In Florida, Carrerou has served on various state and local committees, and, most recently, was a member of the Trial Court Budget Committee, which is addressing the budget shortfall in his home state. He received his bachelor’s in political science from Florida International University, and is a graduate of the National Center’s Institute for Court Management.
The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a nonprofit court reform organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership and service to the state courts. Founded in 1971 by the Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger, NCSC provides education, training, technology, management, and research services to the nation’s state courts.
National Center for State Courts, 300 Newport Avenue, Williamsburg, VA 23185-4147