Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
People on the Move
This is the time of year when organizations recognize professionals who soar to the top because of their passion. They include Barrington Irvin, who flew solo around the world at the age of 23. Then there are the restaurant employees who work hard every day with staff members to make dining out a good experience for their customers. See similar announcements in this week’s People on the Move column and others between now and year’s end. Want more? Submit promotions, new hires to SunSentinel.com/peopleonthemove or email peopleonthemove@sunsentinel.com. Contact ckent@sunsentinel.com, 954-356-4662, or Twitter @mindingyourbiz
Recognition
Broward College alumnus Captain Barrington
Irving, the youngest person and only AfricanAmercian pilot to fly solo around the world, was recently inducted into the college’s Alumni Hall of Distinction at a special 50th anniversary celebration of its aviation program at the Emil Buehler Aviation Institute, Judson A. Samuels South Campus, in Pembroke Pines. Irving made his historic flight in 2007 at age 23. He launched his project in 2002 by taking classes in the professional pilot program at Broward College. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in flight education from Florida Memorial University, where he graduated magna cum laude in 2009. Irving also founded Experience Aviation, a dynamic educational nonprofit, and separately developed The Flying Classroom curriculum which allows elementary and middle school students to experience virtual expeditions around the world.
Kate Watt, executive director of Susan G. Komen South Florida, was named Nonprofit Professional of the Year, at the inaugural “Hats Off Nonprofit Awards,” hosted by Nonprofits First, at the Harriet Himmel Theatre in West Palm Beach. Having joined Komen just one month ago, Watt was recognized for her achievements in her prior position as chief development officer for the Urban League of Palm Beach County. Kenny Williams, general manager of the Olive Garden in Coral Springs, has achieved parent company Darden Restaurants’ Diamond Club status and was recognized for his commitment to delivering guest experiences at the highest level. The company also cited him for making a difference in the lives of customers and team members, as well as in his community. Williams is among 42 general managers selected from the more than 800 Olive Garden restaurants in North America. Additionally, Jose Laboy, director of operations of the Bahama Breeze locations in the South Florida, Las Vegas and Seattle areas, also made Diamond Club status. He is among the top 12 directors of operations selected from the more than 200 to earn the honor. Laboy has been with the company for 25 years The Litigation Counsel of America announced that Emilia A. Quesada of SMGQ Law (Sanchez-Medina, Gonzalez, Quesada, Lage, Gomez & Machado LLP) in Miami, is a recipital, ent of the Peter Perlman Service Award. It recognizes LCA Fellows who contribute in meaningful ways to society by donating time and resources to improve the lives of others. Quesada is a founding partner of her firm and chair of the Insurance Practice Group. Additionally, Quesada and her family created the nonprofit, Friends for Fosters Inc., to support disenfranchised children of South Florida who are in foster care.
Nonprofit
Joanna Cunningham, city clerk and public information officer for the city of Greenacres, was appointed to the board of directors of Dress for Success Palm Beaches.
Medical
Broward Health named Lee Ghezzi as vice president of quality and case management. He most recently was director of clinical process and risk management for Cleveland Clinic Florida. Previously he was with Hialeah Hospi- North Shore Medical Center and Palmetto General Hospital. Gov. Rick Scott recently announced four reappointments and six appointments to the Medicaid Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee. New appointees from South Florida include: Dr. Holly Neal Moreau , of Miramar, and director of pharmacy for Prestige Health Choice; Dr. Helene Jacobson, Coconut Creek, an operations specialist for Optum and Dr. Jefry Biehler, Coral Gables, chair of pediatrics for the Florida International University College of Medicine.
Real Estate
Douglas Elliman Real Estate announced that agents Craig Bretzlaff and Heather Bretzlaff have joined the brokerage’s sports and entertainment division in Palm Beach and Jupiter. Ericka Witkowski has joined Cushman & Wakefield as director of office leasing, in Miami, from Avison Young, where she specialized in agency leasing and tenant representation.
Finance
Marluis Peña joined TotalBank as banking officer/residential loan originator — CRA. She will serve the bank’s 18 offices as a member of the residential lending team based from the bank’s Miami headquarters. Peña spent the past decade working with first-time homebuyer programs and government subsidies in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. She has experience as a housing counselor, affordable housing loan officer and CRAmortgage loan specialist.
Eileen Cala was named as a title processor at Coral Gables Title + Escrow LLC. Title. Cala has worked in the legal profession for 15 years as a paralegal, specializing in workers compensation and bankruptcy.
Education
Perla Tabares Hantman has been elected chair of the Miami-Dade County School Board for the 2017-2018 school year, for an unprecedented tenth time. Hantman, who represents District 4, was originally elected to the board in 1996, and previously served from 1999-2001, and then each consecutive year from 2010-2015. Dr. Martin Karp was elected as vice chair. Karp, who represents District 3, was first elected to the board in 2004. This is his third time as vice chair. He previously served in 2006 and in 2012.
Law
Scott L. Baena, a founding partner at Bilzin Sumberg in Miami, was elected chair-elect of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners for 20172018. He will become chair in November 2018.
Media
Modern Luxury, the luxury lifestyle publisher, has appointed Jamie Altschul as publisher and Jayne Chase as editor-in-chief of its magazine, Modern Luxury Palm Beach, which will debut in December. Altschul was most recently executive director for GQ and The New Yorker under Z Media, and was national account director at JES Media, publisher of Boca Magazine and Worth Magazine. Chase began her career at Conde Nast’s Glamour and Vanity Fair before moving to Hearst Publications where she was international editor at Harper’s Bazaar. She worked as communications director at J. Crew and made TV appearances as a fashion reporter on Good Morning America, ABC, NBC and CNBC. She was also the co-host on the Martha Stewart Morning Living Radio Show on Sirius and hosted her own radio show, A Fashionable Life, on 1490 WGCH in Greenwich, Conn.