May 25, 2025
From the Streets to the Stage: One Founder’s Journey in Community Building
Bernie Florido’s path has always been about service. He spent over a decade in policing, including time in the K9 unit. That experience gave him a close view of how cities work and what communities really need.
After policing, Bernie moved into land development. He saw how cities are built from the ground up. That gave him a new perspective on what makes places livable and connected.
Now, as the founder of Cocoflo, Bernie builds tools that help cities and universities offer better access to services. The company’s Rec Plus software helps communities offer wellness programs, recreation, and connection in a simpler and more modern way.
Bernie also continues to serve in other ways. He sits on the Community Council for Harbour Light at the Salvation Army. He is also chair of the advocacy committee for seniors housing with both the Vancouver Council of Women and the Provincial Council of Women. These roles keep him rooted in the real stories that shape community life.
Earlier this year, Bernie took the stage at TEDx to share his journey from policing to tech and why smart cities need to start with people. His talk reflected a simple idea: connection matters, and everyone should have access to services that support wellness and inclusion.
That message continued when he joined city leaders like Howard Waldie IV, CIO of Myrtle Beach, and Patricia Sagert, CIO of Maple Ridge, on a keynote panel at the Smart City Connect Conference in San Antonio. Together, they talked about how communities are using technology to improve everyday life.
Bernie’s work is grounded in something simple: people want services that are easy to use and designed with their needs in mind. Whether it’s a parent signing up for a youth program or a senior looking for a walking club, the details matter.
Before building software, before TEDx, and before tech, Bernie was a public servant. He still is. He brings that same commitment today — not just as a CEO, but as someone who believes that smart cities are powered by people.
Learn more about Bernie’s roots in public safety and how Rec Plus supports community connection across North America.