“Trooper Steve” is trading his morning traffic reports for a city hall communications office. The Apopka City Commission ratified the appointment of Steven Montiero (Instagram) as its new Public Information Director at its July 15 meeting. Montiero is widely recognized across Central Florida as the morning traffic safety anchor at WKMG News 6, where he has been a fixture since 2017 through his “Ask Trooper Steve” and “Trooper Steve on Patrol” segments.
Montiero brings more than 15 years of experience in law enforcement, public affairs, broadcast journalism, and emergency communications with him to the position. Before joining television, he built his career with the Florida Highway Patrol beginning in 2010, working as a road trooper across multiple Central Florida counties before becoming one of the agency’s public information officers and executive spokesperson during major investigations and statewide incidents.
His professional accomplishments include the Edward R. Murrow Award for innovation in community engagement, the 2024 MADD Law Enforcement Officer of the Year honor, and a keynote appearance at the 2025 Florida Tax Collector Convention. A combat veteran, Montiero served in the U.S. Air Force Security Forces from 2005 to 2009, including deployments to South Korea and Iraq.
As Public Information Director, Montiero will oversee Apopka’s communications strategy and serve as the city’s primary liaison between municipal departments, elected officials, residents, and the media. The appointment comes as Apopka navigates significant issues involving growth, infrastructure, utilities, and redevelopment.
Montiero will transition out of his role at WKMG to take the position, but a timeline for that transition is yet to be announced.
