TO: Mayor and Commission AGENDA DATE: 5/19/2025
FROM: City Manager AGENDA ITEM: 3 - A
SUBJECT:
Title
Invocation Presented by the District #3 Commissioner.
Honoring Veterans:
- Cristina Raymundo - Marine Veteran
- Eric Raymundo - Navy & Marine Veteran
Body
LOCATION:
N/A
COST:
N/A
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
N/A
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT:
City Manager’s Office
POTENTIAL MOTION:
Recommendation
N/A - Invocation Only.
END
BACKGROUND:
Background
Dr. Cristina Raimundo was born on the 29th of July 1970 in Manhattan, New York. She is an only child raised in the Bronx by her parents Maria Cruz and Ernesto Crespo. As a child, she attended both public and catholic schools in NYC. Upon graduating from St. Catherine Academy High School, she studied Journalism and Communications at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. In her junior year, she joined the United States Marine Corps where she served for five years and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. In the military, she met her husband of 28 years Navy Corpsman Eric Febles Raimundo. Upon completing her service, she returned to NYC and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications. She interned at Channel 7 Eyewitness News. Although Journalism was her field of study; she shifted her focus to pursue a career as an educator. She was selected from over 2,000 applicants to become a New York City Teaching Fellow. She taught 3rd and 4th grade at Inocensio Casanova School in the South Bronx while attending Lehman College where she earned her Masters Degree in Education. In 2005, She moved to Deltona Florida with her husband and three children. She taught 4th grade at Deltona Lakes Elementary. Dr. Raimundo again returned to school earning a second Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. She was then promoted to Assistant Principal at Osteen Elementary and the Principal of Friendship Elementary. In 2019 she earned her Doctorate in Instructional Leadership and was promoted to Director of Curriculum and Instruction with Volusia County Schools. Her last position was as Director of Learning Loss. After 22 years in education, she chose to work with the City of DeBary as a Communications Specialist. In this position, she has most recently spearheaded the Hometown Heroes Banner Program. A program honoring military active duty and veterans for their bravery and service.
Eric Raimundo was born and raised, until the age of 16, in New Jersey. Eric moved to Altamonte Springs, Florida with his family in 1990 where he finished his last 2 years of high school at Lyman High. After graduating, Eric enlisted in the Navy and went on to become a Naval Hospital Corpsman. During his time, he served at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego and then finished out his 4-year tour with the Marines at 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Service Support Group based in Camp Pendelton California. It is during this time that Eric met his wife Cristina, a US Marine, serving together at 1st Medical Battalion. After his 4 years of active service to his Country, Eric moved to New York City and worked in the private sector for the next 9 years before moving back to Florida with his wife Cristina and his 3 children Tristan, Marc and Marissa. Eric has been working for the legislature for the past 12 ½ years. His first 8 years he served as former State Rep. David Santiago’s Legislative Aide and now serves as Chief Legislative Aide to State Sen. Keith Truenow. Eric enjoys time with his family and smoking his cigars. He attends Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church as a newly committed follower of Christ. Eric hopes to be baptized as a Catholic next year.
End