Don Slesnick III
Tech Consultant, Musician, Teacher
After receiving a master’s degree in organizational management from St. Thomas University, Gables native Don Slesnick III began working in IT for law firm Colson Hicks. He then joined the board of the South Florida Digital Alliance, eventually becoming its executive director. He next started Deco Networks, his own IT management consulting company for small businesses and not-for-profits, which he ran for 20 years. He also joined the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee as a board member, eventually becoming president of the organization and later its executive director. About three years ago, when his mother Jeannett Slesnick became sick with cancer, he rediscovered his love of music, playing piano and guitar for her. Before she passed in August of 2023, she encouraged him to pursue a career in music, possibly as a teacher.

Latest Achievement
Slesnick has just finished his first year as the music instructor at Coral Gables Preparatory Academy on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, the school that he attended as a child when it was called Coral Gables Elementary (it has since expanded to kindergarten through 8th Grade). When his son Sebastian told him that the school had no music program, he served as a “permanent” sub for a year, running the program. He was made full time last year and has since brought back the school’s chorus and strings & violins music clubs. In December, he brought back the school’s first “Winter Frost” showcase since before the pandemic.
What he Say
“I was born and raised in Coral Gables and went to this school. It’s a humbling opportunity for me to teach in this building, and a way to give back,” says Slesnick. “I try to get [the students] interested until they get hooked, and then I can give them the inspiration to a path where music becomes very meaningful in their lives… it gives me dividends to see the kids flourish, and to see how music makes them feel.” Slesnick says he is also able to bring his tech background to bear. “We did a lesson last year on the Beatles’ new song [discovered from an old recording by John Lennon]. I walked the class through the technology they used to separate his voice from the piano and mix it with recordings from Ringo and Paul… I like to bring new ways to look at music.”– JP Faber