Dina McDermott, MPA, MSM
Chief Operating Officer
Dina helped launch Houser Financial Group and serves as its Chief Operating Officer. Dina is passionate about assisting others to achieve balance and financial success in their lives and careers. She has over 38 years of executive experience in corporate, government, and non-profit management. Dina is dedicated to building lasting relationships with individuals and companies by coaching them on matters relating to personal and professional goals. Her passion guides and motivates them to make decisions by designing strategies for success in achieving a balanced career and life.
Experienced in managing mid-to-large municipalities, Dina has expertise in such areas as strategic planning, maintaining pension and employee benefit plans, analysis, budgeting, and negotiations. A tenacious implementer, she has established a record of success in corporate management, not-for-profit and development consulting.
Dina’s career began in city government. She was City Manager for the City of Miramar (1996-1997), and Assistant City Manager for the City of Tamarac (1989-1995). While in office, several of her accomplishments include successfully restoring $36 million for the Water Membrane Treatment Plant, Construction of $59m in Waste Water Reclamation/Reuse and securing $1.25m in grants for Waste Water, Emergency Medical Equipment, Multi-Cultural Library, and Public Safety. Additionally, she obtained $5.1m grant funds and coordinated numerous Project Management/Construction for the City in South Florida while in Tamarac.
Dina successfully helped clients make life transitions, start, launch and grow a business or not-for-profit agency. Dina's former clients include Ameriturk, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, Catch Manufacturing, First Serve, Gilda’s Club, Hurricane Warning, Karizma Construction. Dina launched My Luxury Yachts and helped several retired NFL players that began nonprofits.
Dina’s international accomplishments include implementing business analysis and plans to reposition successful companies and service agencies for financial sustainability. Her extensive list of clients includes; Aqua Unique, Ameriturk, Catch Manufacturing, Karizma Construction, and The Syed Group of Companies.
Dina’s unique experience includes extensive service to the community and civic organizations including LEAD Brevard Class of 2019, President of Leadership Broward, Board Member for March of Dimes, Broward Partnership for the Homeless, Florida City & County Management Association, International City Management Association, and the Florida Public Pension Trustees Association. Price Waterhouse and South Florida Magazine the Up & Comers Award recognized her unique skills and accomplishments in 1994. In 1995, Sprint and the National Association of Community Leadership awarded her the Distinguished Community Leadership Award for her efforts. Dina has also been recognized Who's Who in Public Management from the International City Management Association from 1990-2002, awarded Woman of Distinction in 2002 by March of Dimes and the First Ladies of Broward Community Leadership Award in 2000 by Broward County. In 2005, she received the Distinguished Leader Outstanding Volunteer from the Leadership Broward Foundation, and in 2008, Woman of the Year from the American Cancer Society.
She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from St. Thomas University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Communications and Marketing from Nova Southeastern University.
Dina is married to Steve Houser and enjoys spending time with the family, helping others, walking on the beach, sailing and exploring cities globally.