Description

The Real Estate & Construction Committee brings together professionals across development, construction, real estate, and related industries to build meaningful relationships, exchange market insights, and stay connected to the trends shaping growth in Palm Beach County.

Through industry conversations, practical insights, and valuable networking opportunities, the committee supports collaboration and engagement across the region's evolving built environment while helping members strengthen connections and identify new opportunities.

This month's topic:

Permitting & Building

From permitting timelines and inspections to labor availability and project coordination, today's construction and development teams continue to focus on project schedules, budgets, and overall efficiency.

Join industry professionals for a practical discussion on the obstacles businesses are navigating today and strategies for reducing delays, improving communication, and creating stronger project outcomes. Panelists will discuss common challenges, lessons learned, and perspectives from different parts of the industry. 

Panelists include:

Dave Riddle, President, Construction Guardians

David S. Riddle, PE, Esq., MBA, is a construction and engineering professional with more than 35 years of experience in design, project management, owner’s representation, construction defect investigations, risk management, and dispute resolution. He has helped owners navigate complex construction projects from planning and design through contractor selection, execution, and closeout. David combines a unique background as a licensed Professional Engineer and Attorney in both Florida and Ohio, providing clients with practical technical expertise and a strong understanding of contractual and legal considerations. His career spans engineering design, forensic investigations, litigation support, facility assessments, and leadership roles across the construction, legal, and facilities management industries.

Ana Maria Aponte, AICP, Development Services Director, West Palm Beach

Ana Maria Aponte, AICP, is a seasoned planning professional with more than 30 years of experience in the public sector. Her career began at both the national and local levels in Colombia, and since 2003 she has contributed her expertise to the City of West Palm Beach in Florida.

For 19 years, Ana Maria served as the City’s Urban Designer, leading the implementation of the Downtown Master Plan—a form-based code that has played a pivotal role in the successful redevelopment of downtown West Palm Beach. Her work in this role helped shape a vibrant, sustainable, and forward-looking urban core.

In 2022, Ana Maria joined the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency as Deputy Director, where she guided redevelopment initiatives in the Downtown and Northwood/Pleasant City CRA districts. In 2024, she returned to the Development Services Department as Assistant Director, bringing her extensive experience back to core city operations. Since July 2025, she has served as the Development Services Department Director, overseeing both the Planning and Zoning Division and the Building Division.

Ana Maria earned her degree in Architecture from the University of Los Andes in Colombia and holds a Master in Development and Planning from University College London in England.

Robert Brown, Building Official, West Palm Beach

Whether you are involved in construction, development, architecture, engineering, real estate, lending, or related services, this conversation will provide practical insights and valuable takeaways you can apply to your work.

Join us for lunch, networking, and discussion with professionals from across Palm Beach County's built environment.

Updated Event Registration Policy: We no longer issue refunds for event registrations. If you register for an event and are unable to attend, your payment will be recognized as support for the work of The Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches to strengthen our business community. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to a colleague from your organization by notifying us in advance at mvargas@palmbeaches.org