David C. Aiken; Commercial Development Director. With 37 years in the Palm Beach market his role is to connect the Dots between CEMEX’s resources and market opportunities. CEMEX is a leading heavy building materials supplier focusing on cement, aggregate, block and ready-mix. Internationally, they employ 45,000 people in 50 countries with annual sales of approx. 13 billion dollars.  Locally in Florida, CEMEX employ approx. 2700 individuals doing 1.7 billion in sales.

A West Palm Beach native, Sarah Alsofrom is the Director of Community Relations for GL Homes.  Previously, she worked for Hanley Center Foundation, the State Attorney’s Office of Palm Beach County as the Public Information Officer; at the Gunster Law Firm as Director of Marketing & Public Relations; and at NBC’s WPTV Channel 5. Sarah holds a B.A. from the University of Florida and a J.D. from Stetson University.  She is active in the community and has served on the Boards of The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Leadership Palm Beach County, 211 Helpline and is past chair of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

Renae Asher recently joined Chase Family Enterprises as Finance Director for its Florida assets, including Palm Harbor Marina in West Palm Beach. Chase Enterprises is a multi-generational investment firm specializing in commercial real estate and hospitality, with over 2 million SF spanning office, retail, telecom, hotels, and a world-class marina. Previously, Renae was with Prime Marina Group, overseeing investor relations, due diligence, and strategic initiatives. She also led FP&A at Flagler, Florida’s largest commercial real estate developer, liaising with Fortress Investment Group during her 13-year tenure. Earlier roles include General Manager of GMI Products, an international trading firm, and Manager of Strategic Planning at Burger King Corporation, focused on international operations. Renae holds a Bachelor’s in International Finance & Marketing from the University of Miami and an MBA from Florida International University.

Stephen V. Avallone, MD, FACP, PE, is Regional Medical Director of Concierge Medicine for Cleveland Clinic Florida. He received a medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in 2000 and completed his internal medicine residency training at the Cleveland Clinic Florida in 2003. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Avallone then began his practice in Executive Health, becoming medical director of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Huizenga Executive Health Department in 2010. He also served as co-director of outpatient internal medicine and core faculty for the internal medicine residency program.
Dr. Avallone was awarded the Jose Muniz, M.D. Best Teacher Award in 2008 and the John and Margaret Krupa Distinguished Chair in Preventative Medicine in 2014. He also served as an international medical consultant for the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. 

Courtney Barnard is Director of Government Affairs and Community Engagement for Verizon in Florida, leading municipal affairs and partnerships with government, industry, and nonprofits.

Previously, she was a public policy leader with the Florida Realtor Association and Florida Apartment Association, and worked on the 2010 California Governor's race. Courtney has led advocacy efforts including fly-ins, legislative testimony, and drafting Florida HB 529 (2018) and HB 535 (2016), earning the NAA Excellence Award in Government Affairs.

A graduate of Scripps College, she holds a Master’s from UCF and a certificate in EU Public Policy from Université Libre de Bruxelles. She serves on the executive board of Conservation Florida and is a graduate of Leadership Florida and Verizon Pre-Leader Academy. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and hiking with her husband.

Caleb Bennett is a real estate Analytics and development expert for Huizenga Holdings, Inc., a diversified company that manages the family-owned Huizenga’s private businesses and real estate entities. Bennett is located at the family office in downtown West Palm Beach. Bennett began his career with the Huizenga Family in 2015 at the Rybovich Boat Company, one of the many enterprises within the family portfolio. In 2020, he transitioned into another aspect of the company to focus on the family's real estate holdings. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty University and is diligently working towards his Juris Doctoral degree. The consummate outdoors man, Caleb is an avid golfer, gardener, fisherman and hunter, he enjoys travelling with his wife and their three daughters.

Kyle Belsky works in Client Development in Glenmede’s West Palm Beach office, where he focuses on helping clients and their families connect with strategies that support their long term financial goals. With a relationship first approach, Mr. Belsky takes time to understand each client's priorities, building trust, and working closely with his team to deliver tailored solutions to fit their unique needs. 
Known for being approachable and dependable, Mr. Belsky is passionate about developing conversations into lasting partnerships. Using a thoughtful approach, he helps clients feel confident and supported throughout their financial journey.
Mr. Belsky received his BA in political science from FAU.

Sue Ellen Beryl is Managing Director of Palm Beach Dramaworks, a professional theatre company she co-founded with her husband in September of 2000.  A graduate of Pace University, she began her career in theatrical management as Managing Director of the Schimmel Center for the Arts, and Box Office Manager and Publicity Director for Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. In addition, her business experience includes 10 years in the New York advertising industry and several years managing a family-owned business on the New York Commodity Exchange. She is proud of her service to the community as a former board member of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, serving two years as Chairman of their Cultural Executives Committee, served three years on the Allocations Committee for the Town of Palm Beach United Way and is a National Ambassador for the Actors’ Fund. Beryl currently serves as a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

Bill Bone was born in West Palm Beach and graduated from Atlantic High School in Delray Beach. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University Of Florida Warrington College Of Business and his Juris Doctorate degree from the UF Levin College of Law. At graduation he was named to the University of Florida Hall of Fame. He is a Board Certified Trial Lawyer practicing in Florida and principal partner in the firm of Larmoyeux & Bone. In addition to his work representing personal injury clients he is the father of four teenage children. Bill Bone has served the community as an elected volunteer leader in many organizations including: past president of the Forum Club, past president of the Rotary Club, past president of the UF Law School Alumni Association, past president of Healthy Mother?s/Healthy Babies and past president of Florida Stage. In 2011 he was Chairman of the Town of Palm Beach Centennial Commission.

Bill Bramlett is a Senior Commercial Lender and Palm Beach County Commercial Team Lead with Centennial Bank. Centennial Bank currently has 76 branches in Florida, with the Palm Beach County Commercial Lending headquarters located in West Palm Beach. Bill works closely with business owners and commercial real estate investors to provide financing solutions including real estate construction lending for multifamily/mixed use/commercial/residential projects, receivables financing and business lines of credit. Bill  volunteers his time to Junior Achievement, Palm Beach County Food Bank, Boy Scouts of America and the Knights of Columbus. Bill currently serves as a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.  Remember that a work/life balance is key to your happiness and success in life!

Bridging the diversified fields of Management, Negotiation, Fashion, Branding, Philanthropy and Film, Ms. Bratter has defined her career with individualized tactical approaches.  Specializing in Strategic Business Management, Ms. Bratter has served in leadership roles with Chanel, Salvatore Ferragamo, Versace, Celine and Emilio Pucci in addition to leading the Executive Production team for the award-winning films: Better Mus Come and The Black Line. Formerly the Vice President of Development for The Miami Foundation, Ms. Bratter is the Chief Operating Officer for BRATTER PA, a leading International Immigration Law Firm based in Miami Beach and West Palm Beach specializing in exclusive Immigration Representation and Extraordinary Ability Immigration Services for Entrepreneurs, Investors, Athletes, Entertainers, Business/Hospitality Executives, and Family Offices.

Joshua P. Bratter, Esq is the founder of BRATTER PA, a full-service international Immigration Law Firm assisting clients from around the world in their corporate and individual immigration matters. Specializing for over 20 years in exclusive immigration representation for Athletes, Entrepreneurs, Entertainers, Artists and IT Professionals, Attorney Bratter earned his B.A. at Hamilton College and his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law. He currently serves as the official Immigration Counsel to many companies and organizations and has worked at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs in Washington DC and for the Organization of American States. Attorney Bratter currently serves as a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

Kathleen D. Breland joined the Palm Beach Zoo in July 2009 as Chief Financial Officer. After a 20-year career with national homebuilder/developer Centex Homes holding positions as Controller, VP of Finance, Division President and VP of Operations prior to coming to the Zoo, Kathleen was ready to give back and has found a rewarding home at the Zoo. During her time at the Zoo, Kathleen took on the additional role of COO for several years and served as the Zoo’s Interim CEO. 
 
Kathleen is a Professional Fellow with the Association of Zoo’s & Aquariums where she serves on the Business Operations Committee.  She is a registered licensed CPA in the state of Illinois and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Houston. 

Brandon Cabrera is the Owner and CEO of The BrandX Company, a private real estate development firm with projects from single family homes to multifamily rental apartment complexes. He holds a Contractors license, and a Real Estate license, along with owning a diverse portfolio of properties in Palm Beach County. His company focuses on quality affordable homes and rental apartments for the everyday working-class family. Mr. Cabrera was raised in Greenacres, and invested in his first property at the age of 18. He is continually seeking to improve Palm Beach County with quality housing that anyone can afford, and he also gives back by serving on a variety of boards and committees in the community.

Kelly Cavers has spent over 25 years in the hospitality industry.  For the past eight years, she has led the strategic sales and destination services efforts for Discover The Palm Beaches, Palm Beach County’s official tourism agency.  In 2022 she was named Chief Sales Officer managing both the group and leisure sales for the organization.  She started her career in sales for United Airlines and then transitioned to destination marketing with The San Diego Tourism Authority and Choose Chicago, before arriving in The Palm Beaches.  She is currently active in industry organizations such as PCMA, ASAE, IRF, and Association Forum, and serves on various advisory boards and committees with The Above and Beyond Foundation, Destinations International and PCMA. 

A West Palm Beach native, Matt Chait is the Office Managing Partner of the West Palm Beach office of statewide law firm Shutts & Bowen LLP. Chait focuses his practice on commercial real estate litigation, creditors’ rights litigation, and general business litigation. Recognizing the importance of charitable and civic work, Chait serves on the Board of Resource Depot, formerly served on the the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, is a member of the American Heart Association’s Executives with Heart, and serves as a member of the Economic Forum of Palm Beach County. He is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County. He earned his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Joe Chase is a shareholder and business and corporate attorney with the Gunster law firm. In addition to assisting clients with their day-to-day business law needs, Joe has handled numerous complex business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions. He is the chair-elect of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. He also serves on the board of governors of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County and the board of directors of the YMCA of the Palm Beaches. Joe was previously with Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago, Illinois and is a graduate of Harvard University and Vanderbilt University Law School. At Vanderbilt, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Vanderbilt Law Review. Joe lives in a historic home in West Palm Beach's El Cid neighborhood with his wife, Alex, and their son, Joe, Jr.

Barbara is the Provost at Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth campus. She was born in Poland and grew up in New Jersey. She received an M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Barry University, a B.S. in Business Administration from St. Peter’s University, a certificate in Emergency Management Supervision from Palm Beach State College and has completed all coursework towards a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership at Florida Atlantic University. 

Barbara is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County, Leadership Palms West, and the Chair Academy.  She served as the institutional representative for the American Council on Education Women’s Network of Florida and is a current trustee of the Boca Raton Police Foundation.  She is also involved in community organizations and chambers supporting the College and has served as the United Way College representative and is a member of the West Palm Beach Education Advisory committee. 

Charles S. Cohen is the owner and President/CEO of Cohen Brothers Realty Corporation, a private national commercial real estate development and management firm with a portfolio in excess of 12 million square feet of Class A office buildings and design centers across the United States. Signature projects include the revitalization of Manhattan’s renowned Decoration & Design (D&D) Building, the Southern California’s Pacific Design Center (PDC) and the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA). Mr. Cohen is also the Founder, Owner and Chairman/CEO of Cohen Media Group, an international film production and distribution company.

Ian Cotner is AT&T's Regional Director of External and Legislative Affairs. He is responsible for coordinating AT&T's political, legislative and community affairs in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, as well as Glades and Okeechobee Counties. Ian has over a decade of experience in campaigns and legislative affairs, and has been practicing law for more than five years. Before joining AT&T, Ian served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Florida Department of Children and Families and in the legislative offices of former Majority Leader, Adam Hasner, and a former Speaker Pro Tempore of the Florida House of Representatives, John Legg. During his career, he has also worked for some of Florida's premier governmental consulting firms. Ian completed his undergraduate studies in political science at Florida State University in 2002. He went on to graduate with honors from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2008.

Since joining in 2016, Cody Crowell has taken a leadership role guiding Frisbie Group as a preeminent investment organization, focused on placemaking, revitalization, and large-scale mixed-use developments. Prior to FG, Cody was a partner at Portfolio Acquisition Group, a real estate private equity group, where he helped build a portfolio with a total cap of $750M. Prior to PAG, he co-founded Interprise Partners, where he assisted with the acquisition, stabilization and disposition of over $100M of bank-owned real estate assets. Cody currently serves as a strategic advisor to FVLCRUM, a first-of-its-kind fund targeting $250M, focused on creating generations of wealth in minority communities, as well as the Long-Range Planning Committee of Palm Beach and the Town’s Main Street Association. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business development from Vanderbilt University, where he was a four-year starting pitcher for the Division 1, nationally-ranked baseball team. 

Peter L. Cruise, Ph.D. is an affiliate associate professor at Florida Atlantic University. His academic and professional careers have focused on improving the ethical climate in public sector programs and organizations. Since graduating with his Ph.D. from FAU in 1995, he has taught ethics and organizational behavior to both undergraduate and graduate students in universities such as Louisiana State University and Mary Baldwin University. He has published several articles and is the co-editor of the Handbook of Organization Theory and Management: The Philosophical Approach (2nd Edition, 2006). Dr. Cruise has served as a Distinguished Alumnus, Palm Beach County Ethics Commissioner, and was appointed by the Mayor and City Commission to the City of West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority in April 2024. He currently serves on the Palm Beach County Medical Society's Council of Ethical & Judicial Affairs.

Danny Cruz Posas, a Honduran-born entrepreneur and builder, bridges infrastructure, innovation, and hospitality. After earning his degree in Civil Engineering from the Catholic University of Honduras, he founded DACP Construction, LLC, modernizing key civil works across the Gulf Coast. His leadership later extended into tech, overseeing a Bitcoin mining plant in Texas that generated over $40 million in revenue. Passionate about culture, he launched Veho Hospitality Group, home to Tacos del Cartel — with locations in New Orleans, Metairie, and Baton Rouge, and upcoming expansions in South Florida — and Taquerías Carnalito, a new concept in New Orleans. He also founded NOLA Concrete Pumping and Savior Builders, growing a real estate portfolio valued at over $10 million while redefining modern Latino entrepreneurship and building a legacy.

Dr. Serge W. D’Haiti, CPA, Ph.D., is a West Palm Beach resident and founder of Serge W. D’Haiti CPA PLLC, providing accounting and mortgage services across Palm Beach and Broward counties. Born in Pahokee, FL, he holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University, a Master of Accountancy from Nova Southeastern University, and a Doctorate in Business from Capella University. He has over 20 years of experience in public service, finance, and community leadership. Dr. D’Haiti volunteers with the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, City of West Palm Beach Water Advisory Board, and Palm Beach County Planning Commission. He’s a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and the Free and Accepted Masons of Florida. His service includes mentoring with Take Stock in Children, tutoring student-athletes, and supporting civic initiatives. He is committed to empowering his community through education, service, and ethical financial leadership.

Mark Dahlmeier is a Jones Foster shareholder and a Florida Bar Board Certified specialist in real estate, focusing his practice in the area of complex commercial and residential real estate transactions. Dahlmeier has extensive experience representing sophisticated clients in the acquisition, disposition, development, redevelopment and financing of retail shopping centers, office buildings and other commercial properties and serves as a trusted adviser to buyers and sellers of high-end residential properties. He also handles transactional work arising out of bankruptcy proceedings as well as commercial loan workouts, loan restructurings and forbearance agreements.
Dahlmeier has been selected for inclusion in several peer-review publications including Best Lawyers in America and the South Florida Legal Guide and holds an AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating based upon legal ability and ethical standards.

 Duncan Davis is the CEO of Mint Eco Car Wash & Detail Center with five Palm Beach County locations. From Jupiter to Southeastern WPB, and a new location at Coconut Crossing, on Northlake Blvd. opening in January of 2026, Mint is well positioned to keep your car looking it’s best. Duncan spent over twenty years as a restaurant executive at Darden, Fridays and Bloomin Brands. He is very committed to optimizing the development of his team and the experience of his customers. He lives in Palm Beach Gardens with his wife and son and enjoys scuba diving, fishing, reading, and traveling, especially in Europe.

Donald K. DeWoody, Jr. has been actively involved in commercial real estate since 1988. Currently he is the principal and co-founder of WGCompass Realty Companies, a regional realty services firm. Mr. DeWoody has extensive experience in commercial brokerage and consulting. Previously he worked as a commercial real estate appraiser for Callaway & Price, Inc. He has earned the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute and currently holds the CCIM designation from the Commercial Industrial Real Estate Institute. DeWoody received his real estate degree from Florida State University. Mr. DeWoody was the 2010 Chair of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

. Ray Dorsey, CIC, is a third generation resident of West Palm Beach, Florida. Following in his father and grandfathers footsteps he chose a career in the insurance business; which started in the 1920’s focusing on commercial lines insurance. Mr. Dorsey is Vice President of Insurance Office of America, which is a privately held, full-service insurance agency founded in 1988. His firm is one of the fastest growing independent agencies in the U.S. and has been named one of the “Best Places to Work”, 2007-2010. Active in the community Mr. Dorsey serves on the following boards: Rehabilitation Center for Children and Adults, Flagler Sunrise Kiwanis and Associated General Contractors. Other areas of involvement are: Palm Beach Atlantic University, Economic Forum, Forum Club, Gathering of Men and his church. Recreational time is spent enjoying boating and water sports with his family.

Tara Duhy chairs the firm’s Land Use & Real Estate Law Practice Group. As part of her state-wide land use, natural resource and water law practice, Tara advises clients through every stage of permitting, government coordination and enforcement related to development, including comprehensive land use planning, and zoning, site planning and other local development orders.

Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds is the Founder and CEO of the 2020 Nonprofit of the Year Suits For Seniors. Mr. Edmonds prides himself on being a Public Speaker, Entrepreneur, Educator, Author, and a Philanthropist. Jervonte obtained his B.S degree in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University.

Alyssa Freeman moved to South Florida in 2008 and began her career with the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, eventually promoting to become its executive director. Alyssa was born and raised in Southeast Michigan, where she grew up near the water enjoying boating, fishing, and water sports every summer. Alyssa is an outdoorswoman passionate about the environment and conservation. She is a graduate of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. Alyssa graduated with her MBA in Organizational Leadership from Ashford University in 2017. She is part of the Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2020, Leadership West Palm Beach Class of 2023, and currently serving as a board member for CareerSource Palm Beach County, Junior Achievement of Palm Beach and Treasure Coast, Barky Pines Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, and Resource Depot (advisory board). 

Robert Frisbie Jr. is a managing director of the Frisbie Group, a leading private investment firm with a focus on performance and community leadership. He is committed to the future direction of the firm and, as a project manager on luxury residential developments and large-scale mixed-use revitalizations, Rob is actively engaged in fundamental value analysis, world-class design, and strategic business planning. Prior to joining his family business, Rob was the vice president of acquisitions at 60 Guilders, a New York-based real estate private equity firm. Over a three-year period with 60 Guilders, he helped lead acquisitions of approximately $750M in New York City assets. Rob graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Economics and currently serves as a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

C. Robin Galanti is the Director of Business Development for Moss & Associates. Ms. Galanti earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Central Florida. Upon graduation, she worked for FPL in West Palm Beach as well as Edwards & Zuck, PC and McGraw-Hill Construction in New York City. After returning to West Palm Beach, she worked for The Morganti Group before joining Moss in 2017. She is active in organizations including the Business Development Board, Quantum House, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Grow for Good, Save the Chimps, and the Leadership program of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. 

Allen Gast is the Founder and President of Gast Construction Group, an award winning, full-service Construction Management Firm located in West Palm Beach, FL.  Gast Construction Group specializes in Commercial and Residential Construction as well as Property Management in Palm Beach County. Allen is a Licensed General Contractor in the State of Florida and is a graduate of the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building Construction at the University of Florida.  He also serves as the Chairman of the ACE Mentor Program of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. 

Francisco Gil is manager and operator of Sympatico Real Estate, a real estate holding and management firm, which was founded in 2004. Francisco manages a diverse portfolio of properties in South Florida ranging from singular buildings to industrial warehousing. Francisco has an extensive professional background that expands beyond commercial real-estate. Some additional areas of professional expertise include entrepreneurship, management consulting, new business development and strategic planning. His tenacious work ethic, commitment to his clients, and professional passion enable him to maintain his success.

David Gobeo, Esq., is a Partner of FordHarrison LLP who focuses his practice primarily on litigation.  Mr. Gobeo received his J.D. from the University of Florida and undergraduate degree from Stetson University, with honors.  Mr. Gobeo is a member of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, Inc., the Palm Beach County Bar Association, and has been an active member of the Associated Builders and Contractors for his entire career.  He is also a Board Member for the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, and a Board Member of Nonprofits First.  Mr. Gobeo has been named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine from 2012 to 2019.

Ned Grace is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at NDT Development. At NDT, Ned is responsible for business development, deal sourcing, financing, and the strategic direction of the firm.  Prior to co-founding NDT, Ned and his partners built a successful property management company, Kanga Property Management (NDT subsidiary), and have invested, developed, and managed a multi-faceted portfolio of residential, commercial, and hospitality assets in South Florida.
Ned was previously in New York City where he held financial analyst roles at Millennium Partners, Janney Montgomery Scott, and JP Morgan.
Ned received his bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in Managerial Studies from Vanderbilt University.

Dana Collier Herst, Esq., a West Palm Beach native, practiced law in Palm Beach County for 22 years, serving as a Prosecutor in the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office and as an Assistant City Attorney for West Palm Beach. A passionate community activist, she transitioned from law to nonprofit work, while staying active with the Florida and Palm Beach County Bar Associations.

Dana has been deeply involved in civic and professional organizations, serving on the Palm Beach School District’s School Advisory Council for nine years and as President of the Dreher Park Neighborhood Association since 2016. She also participated in Leadership West Palm Beach (2017), Leadership Palm Beach County Focus (2023), and Engage (2024).

Dana resides in the Dreher Park neighborhood with her husband, David, their two sons, Joshua and Caden, and their two cherished Doxie rescues.

Clifford Hertz has been named a 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” for Land Use and Zoning Law in West Palm Beach by The Best Lawyers in America©. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with this designation. Hertz is a partner in the West Palm Beach office of Nelson Mullins Broad and Cassel, which was previously Broad and Cassel until it combined August 1 with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP to bring together 750 attorneys and professionals in 25 offices across 11 states and D.C. Hertz is a past chair and current Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

Bret Hoffman, MBA, FACHE is the Assistant Vice President of Business Development at Northwell Health. Northwell Health is NY based healthcare organization dedicated to improving the health of the communities it serves by providing high-quality, patient-centered care. Our mission is to deliver compassionate and comprehensive healthcare services while advancing medical research and education. 

In addition to his role at Northwell Health, Bret is an adjunct college professor for undergraduate students at Cleary University in Howell, Michigan. After a recent return to Florida, Bret is facilitating the expansion efforts of Northwell Health here in West Palm Beach. Bret has a B.S. in Human Resource Management and an M.B.A. in Organizational Leadership. Additionally, he is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Health Care Leadership. Bret also serves as a Trustee for the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

Christopher B. Hopkins is a member of McDonald Hopkins LLC, a business advisory and advocacy law firm. He has more than 20 years of trial and appellate experience representing businesses and families in commercial, construction, legal/medical malpractice, and probate litigation. In addition to his work in the courtroom, Christopher’s practice involves a wide range of emerging technologies such as cybersecurity, e-discovery, Internet crimes, policy/terms-of-service drafting, privacy, and social media discovery. Christopher’s work in those areas permits him to protect client data as well as effectively target discovery and investigation of other parties. Christopher is a frequent speaker on litigation issues and has written over 100 articles as well as an iPhone app.  Admitted in Florida, DC, and New York. Chamber Trustee. Leadership West Palm Beach Class of 2018.

Chadi Irani is the Regional Vice President of advertising at The Palm Beach Post and LocalIQ. He has developed a team that handles all aspects of digital media strategy, planning, media placement, optimization, and reporting. Chadi plays a pivotal role as liaison between vendors, partners, and Gannett Media digital leaders. He has led client seminars with representatives from Google, Facebook and top digital vendors. Prior to joining The Palm Beach Post, Chadi served as Retail Advertising Manager at The Ithaca Journal in Ithaca, New York. In addition to serving as a Trustee, he also sits on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

Barbara James currently serves as Vice President of the Baptist Health Foundation Baptist Health South Florida.  After raising her family in the Pacific Northwest, she returned to her Florida roots in 2017. She is passionate about serving, both personally and professionally, the Palm Beach County community.  She is currently on the Board of the Palm Health Foundation, the Palm Beach County Medical Society, and Families First chairing both their 2021 and 2022 Annual Children’s Day Luncheon.  Barbara is a proud member of Leadership Palm Beach County’s Class of 2019 and is a member of both the Impact of the Palm Beaches and Impact 100 among other service organizations and clubs.  

Kurt Jetta, Ph.D., is the President of Neighborlee Development LLC, which focuses on creating affordable housing solutions for non-family households earning under $50K annually. Previously, he was the CEO and Founder of TABS Analytics, a firm providing sales and marketing research to consumer-packaged goods companies, which he grew to 70 employees before selling to TELUS Communications. Dr. Jetta holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Fordham University, an MBA from Duke University Fuqua School of Business, and a BSc in Statistics from North Carolina State University. Featured in The New York Times, Bloomberg, and CBS News, he resides in Delray Beach with his wife, Nancy. Dr. Jetta is active in the Palm Beach County Boys and Girls Club, Gulfstream Goodwill, and the Lord’s Place. To learn more about Neighborlee Development visit www.neighborleeliving.com.

Jeremy Johnson has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County since May 2011. Prior to joining the Historical Society, Jeremy was President of JRJ Partners, an independent consulting practice providing strategic planning and development support for businesses and nonprofits. Before starting his own small business, he was the Vice President of the South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association, where he promoted the interests of hospitals and healthcare providers among elected officials, the business community and the general public. Jeremy became a Certified Association Executive through the American Society of Association Executives in 2007, was selected as a ?Thought Leader? for the Center for Bioterrorism and All-Hazards Preparedness by Nova Southeastern University in 2006, and was selected as an ?Up & Comer? for executives under 40 by the South Florida Business Journal in 2005.

Jimmy Johnson is Shareholder and Director of Investment Operations at Blue Ocean Capital, where he leads investment operations with a client-first approach. With 20+ years of experience in wealth management and public accounting, he serves high-net-worth individuals and families through portfolio management, family office services, and financial planning.
A CPA, CFP®, and CFS®, Jimmy combines technical expertise with relational trust to help clients feel empowered and valued. Before joining Blue Ocean Capital, he worked at Nowlen, Holt & Miner, P.A., and earned his B.S. in Accounting and Applied Finance from PBA University.
Jimmy is Chairman and Trustee of The Chamber, a member of the Rotary Club of West Palm Beach, and a supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He lives in Royal Palm Beach with his wife, Robin, and their two children.

Deborah has dedicated her career to serving non-profit organizations. She sees fundraising as a value proposition and an opportunity to align one’s personal values and purpose to help solve humanity’s most pressing problems.  

Prior to the role of President/CEO of the Trustbridge Hospice Foundation, she served as Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Boys & Girls Club Martin County and was the Vice President of Development for the Everglades Foundation.  She has dedicated over 12 years of her career to independent school education from Fort Myers to Hobe Sound. 

Deborah graduated cum laude from Barry University with a degree in business and marketing.  She is accredited through CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executives) International, where she is one of only 6,800 professional fund raisers worldwide that hold the designation.  Deborah serves as a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

Born and raised in Jupiter Florida, Will Joyce is the Director of Sales and Marketing for his family's business Hydro Dynamics Irrigation Specialists. He recently returned home from the U.S. Navy where he spent over six years in the Naval Special Operations Community as an Aviation Search and Rescue Swimmer. Throughout his career, he has taken on progressive responsibility in key management roles while concurrently acquiring leadership skills. Will is also a graduate of Florida Atlantic University and an Eagle Scout. Now as a Director of Sales and Marketing, Will is responsible for strategic growth and operations leading the development for Hydro's team. 

W. Dale Kahle is the Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking at Truist Bank in Palm Beach County. A veteran banker of over 30 years, Dale possesses vast industry knowledge and expertise in the Commercial and Middle Market company space and excels at delivering top-tier financial advice and customized solutions through the Truist Business Lifecycle Advisory (BLA) service. Dale supports a myriad of organizations with his time and efforts. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors and a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, a member of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, the Florida East Coast Chapter of Associated General Contractors of America, and is actively engaged with the South Florida Fair and Palm Beach County Expositions, Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches, and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Kahle earned his bachelors degree in Banking and Finance from Jacksonville University.

Kenneth R. Kennerly is a 29-year sports marketing industry veteran. Kennerly, the President & CEO of K2 Sports Ventures, is also the Executive Director of The Honda Classic, and most recently acquired the Marathon of the Palm Beaches, rebranding the race as The Palm Beaches Marathon. He serves on multiple boards, including Discover The Palm Beaches, Palm Beach County Sports Commission, American Junior Golf Foundation (AJGA), and The First Tee of the Palm Beaches. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College,

 Rex Kirby is President of Verdex Construction, a company recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as Start Up Business of the Year in 2017. Prior to starting Verdex, he was President of Suffolk Construction in South Florida. He is a past Chairman of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County and member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. Rex graduated with a B.S. in engineering from the University of Florida. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Associated General Contractors.

In 1989, Mr. Kirschner launched Passport Publications & Media Corporation (PP&M) as a high-end custom publishing and media firm specializing in enhancing the brands and identities of business organizations, institutions, destinations, sporting events and government entities, while a student at the University of Miami. Since then, PP&M has produced more than 600 publications and media-related collateral pieces for an A-list roster of clients, with opportunities to share in the advertising and sponsorship revenue. An award-winning publisher, a successful entrepreneur and a dedicated husband and father of four, Mr. Kirschner attributes PP&M’s success to the core team of talent who continue to find creative and effective solutions to clients’ marketing, media and communication challenges.

Don Kiselewski is Senior Director of External Affairs for Florida Power & Light Company, the third-largest electric utility in the United States, serving approximately 4.7 million customer accounts across nearly half of the state of Florida. Prior to joining FPL in May 2005, Mr. Kiselewski served as a Congressional Chief of Staff and was a 14-year employee of the U.S. House of Representatives. Don served as Past Chair of the United Way of Palm Beach County. He is also a Past Chair of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County and of the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and a Past President of the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches. Don holds a B.A. degree in Political Science from Emory University and an M.B.A. from Florida Atlantic University.

Patrick C. Koenig has been active in the real estate industry for over 27 years, acting as a real estate broker, manager and developer of commercial properties. He began his career with Boulevard Bank in Key West where he served as loan officer and bank supervisor. In 1983 Patrick joined W.G. Lassiter, Jr., a prominent south Florida real estate developer as a licensed real estate broker. In 1996, Mr. Koenig joined Richard S. Johnson and Scott A. Johnson to form Flagler Realty & Development, Inc based out of West Palm Beach. Working as a property developer and licensed real estate broker, he developed an impressive client list of nationally recognized retailers which included Publix, Winn-Dixie, Wal-Mart, Target and Home Depot. As a principal of the company, Mr. Koenig brings his comprehensive approach to real estate leasing, management and development to a wide range of clients including investors and owners of real estate properties.

John is Managing Director and founder of the Lacy Wealth Management Group at Merrill. Drawing upon 27 years of experience, his philosophy is "It All Matters." As portfolio Manager and investment strategy co-leader, John manages private client, corporate, and endowment portfolios with tailored wealth planning and asset management strategies to ultra-affluent generational families. He is a designated Sports & Entertainment Advisor with concentrations in estate, income, and sudden wealth management. John is an Economics graduate from the University of Texas at Austin and holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor certification, administered by IMCA and taught with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Local philanthropy has included Chairman of Palm Health Foundation, trustee for two regional hospitals, Boys & Girls Clubs of PBC, and co-chair for “A Night for Nature” benefitting Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.
 

Jill Lanigan is a Principal of Song + Associates, Inc. which provides architecture, planning and interior design services to both public entities and private clients. She is responsible for the planning and programming aspects of each project, and also serves as a client liaison from conceptual design through construction.  Jill studied architecture at the University of Miami including study-abroad in Venice, Italy. Jill proudly serves as a Trustee and Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.  She is passionate about education in our community and is involved with the Palm Beach State College STEAM program,  Urban Land Institute, and Florida Library Association.

Christian Le Clainche co-founded Pumphouse Coffee Roasters in 2016 with his brother, Alex, turning a shared passion into a respected South Florida brand. Based in West Palm Beach, the company is known for ethically sourced, expertly roasted coffee. Its flagship café, the Pumphouse Pouratorium, offers a unique view of the roasting process in the city’s Warehouse District. As head of retail, he manages operations and leads business development, securing partnerships with top local establishments like The Breakers Resort and Aioli Bakery. A recent key milestone was partnering with Cheney Brothers Inc., expanding distribution across the Southeast. He is also launching a new café at 300 Banyan in downtown WPB in late 2025. A Palm Beach County native, he holds a JD and MBA from Nova Southeastern University and is a licensed attorney. His strategic vision and commitment to quality continue to guide Pumphouse’s growth and reputation in the specialty coffee industry.

Kimberly Lea, Ed.S., has over 30 years of higher education and leadership experience in Palm Beach County. She is an award-winning community leader with a passion for connecting people and ideas. As the District Dean for Workforce Programs for Palm Beach State College, she aligns the needs of Palm Beach County through strategic partnerships in support of student success and employment.
Kimberly is also working with the Foundation at Palm Beach State College through Achieve Palm Beach County which advocates, collaborates, and leads the community in creating an educational environment which supports all students to attain credentials beyond high school graduation in conjunction with the Florida College Access Network.

Gary S. Lesser served as the 74th President of The Florida Bar and is Managing Partner of Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC, a third-generation law firm with nearly a century of experience successfully fighting for injured clients and their families across Florida. Gary’s grandfather, Joseph Lesser, founded the firm in 1927, and Gary has continued the Firm’s tradition of community involvement. He serves as Founding President of the Jewish Lawyers Association of PBC, Board of Trustees of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society, Executive Board of the Palm Beach North Chamber, Board of Directors of The Legal Aid Society of PBC, Jewish Federation of PBC, Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, the Economic Council of PBC, and Young Singers of the Palm Beaches.

Scott Lewis, has managed Scott Lewis Gardening & Trimming (“SLGT”) for 41 years.  He attended The Hotchkiss School, graduated from Duke University, and attained an M. Ed. from FAU.   Scott built his business from the ground up, starting out as a tree climber while he was still teaching at The Palm Beach Day School. He now employs 30 full time professionals and his company has been awarded two statewide awards for “Best of State” in landscape maintenance. 
 
 

Gustavo López Aguirre is a seasoned corporate executive with over 22 years of experience in call center operations, logistics, and human resources. Together with his wife, Alejandra de López, he founded SOURCING CORP two decades ago. They have successfully expanded the company to serve more than 12 countries, managing a global workforce of over 10,000 employees. SOURCING CORP recently launched ST4FF, an HR company focused on serving the U.S. market. ST4FF offers comprehensive staffing solutions, whether through local hiring programs or through the H-2A and H-2B visa programs. ST4FF is committed to supporting its clients with honesty, transparency, and a strong work ethic—always putting people first.

Acumenian's President, Luis Matos, is an innovative thinker who approaches business with an agile mindset, bringing people together, identifying synergies, and exploring new solutions with an effective, efficient, and flawless implementation. Luis has developed his career by exploring innovative trends while leveraging his formation in Engineering, Electronics, and Business Administration. His passion for technology and making data transparent to others led him to pursue a Data Analytics Specialty at Babson University and become a Certified Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Professional. Luis believes in living a balanced life that fosters helping others to accomplish their dreams. Such a mindset permeates into Acumenian's constant pursuit to help our clients reach their full potential.

Dr. McConn has been a physician for more than 30 years and is seeing concierge medicine patients in the newly opened UHealth Concierge Medicine at Palm Beach. He is board certified in family medicine and received his medical degree from St. Georges University School of Medicine and completed a family medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center/SUNY Upstate Medical University. Before he attended medical school, he received his undergraduate degree in fermentation sciences at University of California at Davis and worked as an assistant winemaker in California and Bordeaux, France. Prior to joining UHealth, he served as chief medical officer of a large multispecialty group, after which started a successful concierge medical practice. 

Since March 2022, J. Duane Meeks has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Potentia Academy.  Dr. Meeks and his wife, Janice Meeks, founded Potentia Academy in 2009 as an education alternative for unique learners in middle and high school, most of whom are on the autism spectrum.  Dr. Meeks served pro bono as Chair of the Board of Directors from its inception until his recent transition to day-to-day leadership of the school.  Before joining Potentia Academy full-time, he enjoyed a long and distinguished career in higher education and media production.  From 2006 to 2020 Dr. Meeks was the Dean of the School of Communication and Media at Palm Beach Atlantic University.  His final administrative role at the university was as Associate Provost for Strategic Innovation. 

Dr. Susan Merola-McConn is board certified in family medicine. She earned a medical degree from St. Georges University School of Medicine and completed a family medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center/SUNY Upstate Medical University. Prior to joining UHealth, she served as executive vice president of a large multispecialty medical group. Dr. Merola-McConn has more than 30 years of experience as a physician and is available for concierge medicine patient consultations in the newly opened UHealth Concierge Medicine at Palm Beach.

Michael Michuda, PE is Vice President of Industrial Operations at Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. Prior to joining the Cooperative in 2014, he was a consulting engineer and project manager for a variety of clients in Palm Beach County including Pratt & Whitney, South Florida Water Management District, United Technologies and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
A native of Palm Beach County, Michael is a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. He currently serves as President of the Florida Division of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists, is longtime member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Florida Engineering Society and is a Professional Engineer registered in the State of Florida. Michael currently resides with his wife Nora in the City of Lake Worth Beach.

Jaene Miranda was named President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County in August of 2013. Founded in 1971, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is a not-for profit youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health, leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. The Clubs provide more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone – they offer a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youths build skills, self-esteem and values during critical periods of growth. Miranda came to Boys & Girls Clubs following a Corporate Marketing career that included work as Regional Marketing Manager for Miller Brewing Company, Director of Marketing for Kraft Bakery Company’s Southeast Region, and National Vice President of Brand Management at Rexall Sundown.

Sheri Montgomery, chief executive officer of Good Samaritan Medical Center, has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. She has more than 20 years of health care leadership experience with an extensive background in hospital operational, financial and strategic excellence. For the last three years, she served as the Group CFO for Delray Medical Center and the five hospitals that comprise the Palm Beach Health Network. Over her many years with Tenet, Montgomery has proven herself through a variety of leadership roles, including CFO of Delray Medical Center and Coral Gables Hospital. Montgomery is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University where she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree before completing her Master of Business Administration in Finance at Nova Southeastern University.

Vince Moss is the Senior Director of Sales at Lemonlight, a global video production and photography studio that helps brands create high quality content at scale. Vince has nearly 10 years of experience with Lemonlight leading productions ranging from simple shoots to national broadcast campaigns. National clients include Amazon, Disney, Google and Netflix. Local clients include NextEra Energy, Florida Crystals, Oxbridge Academy and Nova Southeastern University.
Vince is passionate about the local community and his family has called Palm Beach County home for four generations, dating back to his grandfather’s arrival from Poland in 1909. He lives in Lake Worth Beach with his wife, Vanessa and their three children including a recent Forest Hill High School graduate, a Dreyfoos SOA musical theatre student and a Tutu School Toddler.
 

Penny Murphy is the President of Pioneer Linens which is located on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida. This luxury linen and home accessories store is a 3rd generation family business serving the community for over 100 years. Penny is a West Palm Beach native who received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College in Boston, Massachusetts. After ten years of teaching, Penny joined her father, George Greenberg, to work with him at the store. She took over the business in 2007 when he passed away. Over the years, Penny has participated in many organizations including The Red Cross Designer Show House, The Forum Club of the Palm Beaches, The Norton Museum, and The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches. She is also the board member of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.

Julia Murphy is the Chief Development Officer for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County with over 15 years' experience in nonprofit management, community organizing, advocacy, program development, and fundraising in public health & education related to social justice.  She received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Florida Atlantic University and a master's in social work from Barry University. As a senior member of the executive team at Habitat, Julia shapes agency strategy that includes programs such as fundraising and cultivation events, annual appeals, corporate and foundation giving, major gifts, prospect research, and donor stewardship.

Sean Ouellette is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at KAST Construction company, a company known for delivering high-quality complex construction projects across the state of Florida. He built his career in Southeast Florida, working in a variety of roles in both project management and field operations in managerial and executive capacities. His experience entails successfully completing large and small projects in multiple market sectors, including but not limited to commercial, cultural, educational, government, medical, assisted living, residential, retail and urban spheres. In 2016, Sean joined KAST Construction Company as the Director of Operations, Tampa Division. He returned to headquarters in West Palm Beach in 2023, to lead the corporate office as the COO. In this role, Ouellette is responsible for the leadership and execution of KAST Construction's business operations, planning and performance. 

Liz Perillo is the owner and founder of Integrated Document Technologies (IDT), a woman-owned Xerox and Konica Minolta dealership based in Florida and New Jersey. Inspired by her father, a tech entrepreneur who helped pioneer the first word processor, Liz began her own career at Xerox in the 1980s. In 1995, she launched IDT to bring customized document and technology solutions to businesses across the country. Liz grew the company from a small operation into a national provider serving clients coast to coast. Under her leadership, IDT expanded beyond hardware to include managed IT, security, and AI-driven services. Liz credits her success to hard work, adaptability, and a deep commitment to customer service. As a long-time advocate for women in business, she prioritizes mentorship and inclusive hiring at IDT.

Alex Prouty brings 15+ years of global hospitality leadership, with senior roles at top-tier properties like The Ray Hotel - Curio Collection by Hilton, Hotel Kabuki - JDV by Hyatt, and Soho House in Miami and New York. His expertise spams luxury hotel operations, strategic planning, and team development across the U.S. and Europe.
Alex has led multimillion-dollar properties, managed major renovations, and built high-performing teams. Alex now serves as the General Manager of The Seagate. His international background and multilingual skills add a valuable global perspective to Seagate leadership.

Adidharma Purnomo is a seasoned real estate professional with over 25 years of expertise in acquisition, planning, design, construction, and commercial transactions for mixed-use developments. Since 2021, he has served as Senior Vice President of Development at Great Gulf, where he oversees all aspects of high-rise development, from acquisitions to project delivery.
Before joining Great Gulf, Mr. Purnomo held key leadership roles in prominent real estate firms. As Vice President at Graywood Developments, he managed the delivery of several mixed-use residential developments in Toronto. He also played a significant role in developing Concord CityPlace and Park Place with Concord Adex and other urban mixed-use projects across the United States.
Mr. Purnomo's academic credentials include a Master of Science in Real Estate from New York University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University.

Born at St. Mary’s Hospital, Greg Quattlebaum is a lifelong resident of West Palm Beach. He and his bride Julie have three adult children, Greg, Jr. (Emily), Gretchen (Cody), and Grant; and one grandson. Mr. Quattlebaum has long been active in our community having served as the Executive Director of Leadership Palm Beach County; a Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Quantum House; a current member and past Chairman of the Community Investment Committee of the Palm Health Foundation; a former member of the Advisory Council of the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center; a former member of the Palm Beach County Medical Society Services Board; a former member of the Advisory Board of the West Palm Beach Police Foundation; a past president of the Sailfish Club of Florida; and was awarded the American Free Enterprise Companion Medal from PBAU.

Steve is a recognized leader in the Palm Beaches luxury residential real estate market, having sold millions of dollars of homes with emphasis on club, waterfront & golf communities.  Steve’s background as a business, tax & real estate attorney & his extensive negotiation skills and real estate knowledge about area communities have been leveraged by his clients.  A long-time resident of Admirals Cove (Jupiter), Steve has served on several Club & POA boards & committees, including the Club’s Governing Board (multiple terms as Club President).  He’s a Commissioner on the PB County Sports Commission (Executive Board; Chair of Finance, Audit and Hall of Fame Committees); Commissioner, Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District; Member, Corporate Advisory Board, Jupiter Medical Center; Ambassador, Cognizant Classic of the Palm Beaches; and Board Member and Chairman Emeritus of the Childrens Golf Foundation / First Tee Gold Coast.

Emanuel Russi is an Argentinian-American entrepreneur, real estate investor and proud Christian. He is the founder and CEO of a portfolio of companies that provide trusted services across Florida, including Family Gutters, Family Pest Control and a metal panel fabrication business. Known for blending innovation, craftsmanship and reliability, Emanuel has built his businesses with a focus on serving families and strengthening communities. He is also active in real estate, investing in both long- and short-term rentals, and values opportunities to connect with local builders and developers. Beyond business, he finds his greatest joy in being a father of five. Rooted in faith and deeply grateful to call Florida home, Emanuel is committed to building stronger businesses, stronger families and stronger communities.

Corey Saban – Communications Consultant
A trusted communications strategist and media/public speaking coach known for crafting impactful messages, fostering team cohesion, and protecting brand reputations. With a proven track record of advising Fortune 500s, CEO's, and management teams, he excels at capturing his clients' voices and turning ideas into meaningful outcomes that drive results. His storytelling programs help executives drive engagement and deliver measurable ROI across organizations. In times of crisis, he helps leaders stay in control and protect their brand. An Emmy-nominated and Associated Press award-winning former TV journalist, his career included interviews with some of the world's most recognizable figures.

Timothy (Tim) Sargent began his career with Arthur Andersen LLP as Tax Account Manager where his responsibilities included tax planning and compliance for both domestic and foreign corporations, and trust management for high-net-worth individuals. In 2004, he joined the privately held Huizenga Holdings company, serving as Chief Financial Officer of the Rybovich Boat Company, a super yacht marina and refit facility based in West Palm Beach, Florida. From 2011 to 2016, Florida Governor Rick Scott appointed Tim to serve on the governing board of the 18-county South Florida Water Management District. He currently serves as a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. Following the acquisition of Rybovich Boat Company by Safe Harbor Marinas in 2021, Tim was named Chief Operating Officer for Safe Harbor's newly created International Division, which will be headquartered in Riviera Beach, Florida on the Rybovich Safe Harbor campus.

Shane Savage is the Chief Strategy Officer at PATHOS, a full-stack marketing agency based in downtown West Palm Beach. A graduate of Cornell University and Harvard University, Shane brings a blend of strategic insight and creative vision to his work. His prior experience includes roles at Aon Hewitt and Google’s Healthcare team. Deeply committed to community impact, Shane is an alum of Leadership Palm Beach County and Leadership West Palm Beach, and currently serves on the board of SunFest.

With over 20 years of experience, Jon Schmidt is the Principal Landscape Architect at Jon E. Schmidt & Associates Inc. Jon's expertise in land planning resonates with an in-depth review of long range comprehensive goals to identify opportunities for compliance, as well as consistency with Land Development Codes. His experience includes all aspects of entitlement and land use matters, such as due diligence, site analysis, master planning, comprehensive plan adoption and public representation before local government and regulatory bodies, as well as transfer of development rights and design standards. He acts as lead consultant directing all planning aspects and strategic outlining, as well as implementation of site/landscape design on a wide variety of projects throughout South Florida. Jon Schmidt is committed to delivering the highest standards of design quality and professional services to his clients and our community.

Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, an accomplished higher education academic leader, innovator, scientist and physician, was named president-elect of Palm Beach Atlantic University on January 16, 2020. Dr. Schwinn previously served as associate vice president for medical affairs, dean of the Carver College of Medicine, and professor of anesthesiology, pharmacology, and biochemistry at the University of Iowa. She will assume the office of president on May 4, 2020, following the retirement of President William M. B. Fleming Jr. after a highly successful eight-year tenure. Prior to her positions at the University of Iowa, Dr. Schwinn served in senior leadership roles at the University of Washington and Duke University, where she was director of cardiovascular genomics in the Center for Genomic Medicine. Dr. Schwinn holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster and earned her medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine.

Daer Serrano is the founder and CEO of E Care Ambulance, with over 10 years of experience in non-emergency medical transportation. A resident of Palm Beach County, he previously served as CEO of SMT for seven years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he founded E Care Ambulance to address the urgent need for reliable ambulance services. Starting with just two units in Monroe County—where wait times exceeded five hours—he committed to raising industry standards. Under his leadership, wages increased by 30% to 40%, and a culture of dignity and respect was established. Today, E Care Ambulance operates over 35 units across Monroe, Citrus (COPCN awarded Dec. 2024), and Palm Beach County (COPCN awarded Feb. 2025). His efforts have been recognized by local communities, fire departments, and elected officials for transforming EMS into a model of excellence.

Grasford Smith, a Board of Governors member for both the Florida Bar and National Bar Association and past President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, specializes in complex commercial litigation. Certified as a Circuit Civil Mediator by the Supreme Court of Florida, he is consistently recognized by Best Lawyers and Lawdragon as one of America’s top attorneys.

At Akerman, Grasford serves on the firm’s Board of Directors, providing leadership on management and initiatives. Grasford gained experience at top international law firms in New York and Washington, D.C., handling matters in corporate governance, trade secrets, non-compete agreements, real estate, construction defects, franchises, intellectual property, eminent domain, and Florida Bar disciplinary cases.

Maxine Sonnenschein is the Director of External Affairs for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. In this role, she builds and maintains key relationships with government officials, civic and business organizations, and community leaders to advance the healthcare organization’s mission. Sonnenschein plans and executes outreach activities, represents the organization in legislative and community discussions, and ensures the effective resolution of conflicts and needs.

Sonnenschein has a diverse background, dedicated to health care policy and funding, government affairs and civic engagement. Before joining the Health Care District, she served as development/government affairs officer for Alpert Jewish Family Service in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

Sonnenschein completed her undergraduate studies at Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College.  

Mike Sophia was named General Manager of CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, the Spring Training home of the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals, in November of 2022.  He brings 30 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry, including two years as the Vice President of Sports & Entertainment with Visit Lauderdale, seven years as the Director of the Sacramento Sports Commission and eight years as the Executive Director of the Miami-Dade Sports Commission.
 
Mike began his career with the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, working 4 years in the Sports Department planning and executing the Games in 1996.  As Vice President of the Florida Sports Foundation, Mike worked closely with major events throughout the state including three Super Bowls and two BCS Championships Games. 

Ann Marie Sorrell is the president and CEO of The Mosaic Group, a full-service marketing, public relations and events management firm based in West Palm Beach. She manages the day-to-day operations, serves as project manager for many of the firm’s projects, and has managed more than 200 campaigns and clients ranging from budgets of $10,000 to $5 million. Sorrell is also the founder of MustAttend Events, Inc., an online events marketing and management software that offers deals on conferences and business, political and charitable events. She is also an adjunct professor at Palm Beach State College, where she teaches Entrepreneurship, Principles of Business and Human Relations. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management from Florida A&M University. 

Stephen Travers is the District Manager of Rosemary Square with Related Companies.
 
With more than 40 years in leadership roles
managing teams in hospitality, sales, operation and guest services, Mr. Travers oversees day to day business operations, including parking, food & beverage operations, front of house guest services, maintenance and security at Rosemary Square in West Palm Beach. 
 
Stephen began his career in Ireland with Unilever and transferred to the United States in 1994. He 
became the Advertising Director for the Irish Voice Newspaper in New York, moved his way up 
Operations Manager at NYC OTB and held the role of VP of Hospitality at the New York Racing 
Association for the past 11 years. He joined Related Companies in June 2019. Mr. Travers graduated from Benildus College in Dublin, Ireland, and currently resides in Boca Raton.

Ken is Managing Principal of Urban Design Kilday Studios, a land planning and landscape architecture firm in West Palm Beach, Florida which he owns with his wife Wendy, the firm?s qualifying landscape architect.Ken directs the firm?s major land planning and urban design projects. Ken is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, B.S. in Agronomy; Business Minor. Prior to taking the UDKS reins, Ken served as VP of Planning, Engineering and Development with WCI Communities, Inc. and held positions with Toll Brothers, Inc., Taylor Woodrow Communities and The Villages. He has been a featured speaker on land use topics for many organizations in South Florida. He sits on the Board of Deaf Services Center of Palm Beach County and is active in other professional and civic organizations. He and Wendy have two children, ages 5 and 4.

John ‘J.P.’ Varvarigos is a 3rd generation florist and owner of Wellington Florist. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, J.P. attributes much of his success in the flower business to his background in hospitality. J.P. assumed the role of general manager of Wellington Florist in 2010 and expanded the shop twice, first in 2014 and again in 2023. Today, the business is a multi-million dollar earning, full-service flower shop specializing in same-day delivery throughout Palm Beach County. Under his leadership, the company is counted among the largest grossing flower shops per square foot nationwide and has won prestigious awards over the years, including the award for Best Florist in Palm Beach County for the last three years.

Joseph Verdone has been a certified planner and government consultant with Carlton Fields for more than two decades. He has 30 years of professional land planning experience throughout Florida, representing numerous large-scale urban, mixed-use, and high-rise projects, including CityPlace DRI, CityPlace South Tower, CityPlace Office Tower, the Hilton West Palm Beach and the TRG Rybovich Marina CMPD. He has handled various Master Plan Amendments and Transfers of Development Rights approvals. Verdone has a bachelor’s from Florida A&M University and was a planner with the Palm Beach County Zoning Division from 1989-1994. He currently serves as a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

Lindsey White is Chief Advancement Officer of the Hanley Foundation, a statewide nonprofit dedicated to eliminating substance abuse through prevention, advocacy, treatment and recovery support. She has more than 15 years of nonprofit experience with an emphasis on annual and capital campaigns, donor engagement, cultivation events, corporate philanthropy, community outreach, and cross-promotional partnerships in support of the greater good. Previously, White held positions with United Way of Palm Beach County, Society of the Four Arts, and the Norton Museum. She received a BFA from New York University and earned the Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. White is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County, currently serving on the board of governors, and serves as a Trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

William S. Williams, is a partner at the Personal Injury law firm of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath. He limits his legal practice to personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout the State of Florida. He is a Board Certified civil trial lawyer and is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Plaintiff personal injury and product liability litigation. Williams has had numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements throughout the State of Florida. In addition to his legal practice, he is the author of the book, 'Terror Before Dawn: A Child At War'. He has also served on charitable and business boards. His great grandfather, Henry J. Sterling, was one of the founders of Delray Beach, Florida.

Taylor Matchton is the President & CEO of Tact Tech Security Solutions. His leadership journey began in high school through JROTC, where he honed values of discipline, service, and leadership that continue to guide him. In 2018, he founded Tact Tech Security Solutions, driven by a passion for safety and operational excellence. Since then, he has had the privilege of mentoring over 500 security professionals, providing VIP-level services across Florida. Taylor is passionate about training and mentoring new officers to help them grow both personally and professionally. In addition to leading Tact Tech, he also owns a used car dealership, staying connected to both businesses. His love for cars extends to drifting, where he embraces the thrill of performance driving. Outside of work, Taylor is an avid scuba diver, always seeking the next adventure beneath the surface. He values service, integrity, and excellence and looks forward to building lasting partnerships.

Harvey E. Oyer, III is a partner in the law firm of Shutts & Bowen LLP, an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law, and an Adjunct Professor at the Florida Atlantic University Honors College. He is a fifth generation native Floridian and served for seven years as the Chairman of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. He also serves as a Director of the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, a Trustee of the South Florida Science Museum, a Director of the Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, a Director of the Palm Beach Community College Foundation, and the Florida Senate President’s appointee to the Great Floridians Committee. He is a former Trustee of the Palm Beach United Way, a former Director of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, and a Fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh Foundation (United Kingdom). Oyer has received numerous awards, including selection into Best Lawyers in America and the Thomas Jefferson Award for Public Service.

Karen Lau is the CEO of Fire Mind Corp, a consulting firm, and Porta Potty To Go, a leading provider of portable sanitation solutions founded with her two sons in 2015.  With a strong background in corporate training, behavioral science, and leadership development, she combines strategic insight with a people-centered approach to business. Karen is also an active community leader, serving on several boards and contributing to both the business and civic sectors.

Sean Quinn, founder of Wafer World Inc., has been proudly based in West Palm Beach, Florida since 1997. Wafer World Inc. stands as the leading manufacturer and sole worldwide provider of silicon semiconductor wafers. Their wafers fuel innovation across cutting-edge industries, including aerospace, military, medical, automotive, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies. Their commitment to technological advancement and rigorous quality control ensures delivery of products that meet the highest standards. They are also honored to be the worldwide sole source reclaim wafer polisher for SiC, GaN, GaAs, InP, and Sapphire.

Doug Mosley is the executive director of the Boca Raton Bowl, which is owned and operated by Charlotte, N.C.-based ESPN Events, a division of ESPN which is turn is owned by The Walt Disney Company. The game is played every December prior to Christmas and take place at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on the campus of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.
 
The Boca Raton Bowl has logged 11 successful years with cumulative viewership surpassing 38 million households and total sponsoring value over $350 million. The 12^th Annual Boca Raton Bowl will take place on Tuesday, December 23, kicking off at 2 p.m. ET. 

Yulimar Trumbo is CEO of the Hispanic Entrepreneur Initiative (HEI), known for her commitment to empowering entrepreneurs to achieve economic prosperity. With 20+ years of experience in leadership, technology, and international sales, Yulimar has created the “Empowering the American Dream” program, designed for diverse entrepreneurs. Her impact spans hundreds of workshops and training sessions, driving growth and financial sustainability for small businesses in the region.
 
A Certified Public Speaker, Trainer, Educator and recognized facilitator for Fortune 500 clients as a sales Consultant, she regularly facilitates sessions at Lynn University, Watson Institute, and PBSC. Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, she fosters cross-cultural innovation and leadership development. She lives with her husband and two children in Boca Raton, FL.

Mitchell (Mitch) LaDuke serves as President of Trans Coastal Construction, headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. With over 15 years of experience in the roofing and construction industries, Mr. LaDuke oversees operations for companies in both Texas and Florida. He holds multiple certifications in traditional and commercial roofing, construction, open- and closed-cell spray foam applications, and TPO roofing systems. Under his leadership, Trans Coastal Construction has built a reputation for excellence, technical proficiency, and a commitment to quality craftsmanship.

Juan Manuel Fayen is an entrepreneur, investor, and visionary redefining how innovation, design, and purpose intersect across Latin America and the United States. He began in Venezuela, founding an automotive import and export company that grew into an international enterprise advising governments on mobility and infrastructure. That experience shaped his lifelong commitment to precision, aesthetics, and enduring value. Now based in Miami, he leads CollectionSuites, a concept reimagining luxury storage through architecture, technology, and community. Following its sold-out Miami flagship, the brand expands to Palm Beach, setting a new benchmark for intelligent preservation and investment-grade real estate built to last.

Ted Leshinski is a Business Development leader for KEITH focused on building community throughout Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. For more than six decades, KEITH has been providing design solutions throughout Florida and beyond. KEITH’s in-house services include geospatial, planning, civil engineering, transportation and traffic engineering, landscape architecture, and construction program management. Leshinski leads the development of strategic relationships for the KEITH Team throughout Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast in the private and public sectors. 

Ben Sadler is a native Floridian, having returned from a 20 year sojourn to South Carolina for college, law school, military service, and starting a family.  He is employed as real estate counsel to Florida Crystals Corporation and its affiliates.  Ben graduated from Furman University in Greenville, SC, and attended law school at the University of South Carolina.  Prior to entering active military service after the events of 9/11, he practiced law in Beaufort, South Carolina.  Upon discharge from active duty, he returned to civilian life as in-house counsel for one of the largest power providers in South Carolina, focusing on real estate and economic development. Ben returned to his native Florida in 2018; he is a member of the vestry at Holy Trinity, is active in his son’s Boy Scout Troop, and assists with his children’s rowing practice in North Palm Beach.  He retired from the reserve components as a judge advocate major. 

Brandon Leon represents individual and institutional clients in the banking, real estate, mortgage servicing, title insurance, and automotive industries in both litigation and transactional matters. Mr. Leon devotes his practice to complex litigation in both state and federal court, where he has defended clients in individual and class action consumer finance and regulatory matters, as well as commercial business disputes. Mr. Leon’s practice also  involves the representation of national banks and other lenders in numerous actions involving alleged violations of state and federal consumer protection statutes and regulations, including Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”),
Truth in Lending Act (“TILA”), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”), Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (“FCCPA”), Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”).

Tara McCoy joined HSS in January 2023. HSS, Hospital for Special Surgery, is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health and is nationally ranked number one in orthopedics (for the 16th consecutive year) by U.S. News & World Report.  In her role, she leads all strategic, operational, financial, and clinical aspects of HSS in the state of Florida. 
McCoy joined HSS with more than 20 years of healthcare experience in the state of Florida. She previously served as the Market Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Systems – Bayfront Health as well as Chief Executive Officer of Tenet’s Good Samaritan Medical Center.  McCoy holds a BS degree in psychology from Tulane University and an MS in industrial engineering from the University of South Florida.  McCoy currently serves as a Board Member for the Palm Beach North Athletic Foundation and The Chamber.

Laura Klintberg is the owner of Johan’s Joe Swedish Restaurant in downtown West Palm Beach. She joined the opening team in 2015 as a barista, became part owner in 2017 and then the sole owner in 2020.
Laura and her Swedish husband, Matti Klintberg, have a blended family of 5 children. Johan’s Joe keeps the family close to their Swedish roots and allows them to share what they love with the local community.
Originally from Maryland, Laura moved to Florida in 2007. Her journey started with a career singing professionally in the Washington DC area theatre scene. Competing three years within the Miss America Organization honed her public speaking abilities, which was followed by a five year stint performing on the Disney Cruise Lines ships. When not running the restaurant, she spends her spare time singing, and is passionate about nonprofit organizations that support children in foster care. Laura loves entertaining at home, cooking, and traveling.