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Building Our Community Awards
Jungle Island, Miami
The March of Dimes will present the 8th Annual Building Our Community Awards to honor individuals and companies who exemplify leadership and whose efforts, on behalf of others, have significantly contributed to the betterment of the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach community.
During the luncheon, honorees will be recognized for their involvement in our community and their commitment to helping others.
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| Schedule: |
11:00 a.m. - Reception and Silent Auction
12:00 p.m. - Lunch and Awards Presentation |
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| Honoree(s): |
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Jeff Bartel, FPL
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Bob Berkowitz, MultiVision Video
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Mayor Manny Diaz
During his two terms as mayor of the City of Miami, Manuel A. Diaz led Miami toward a renaissance of prosperity and opportunity after being first elected in 2001. Diaz was recognized as one of America’s most innovative mayors and served as president of the United States Conference of Mayors.
Never before elected to public office, Mayor Diaz arrived to City Hall when the City of Miami was bankrupt, held junk bond status, and was under a state financial oversight board. He pursued a vast administrative overhaul that brought with it financial stability, a healthy level of financial reserves, continued tax cuts, lowered millage rates, and an A+ bond rating on Wall Street.
Among some of the programs he created are a Capital Improvement Plan to rebuild the city’s infrastructure, Miami 21, a revolutionary land-use and zoning master plan, an expansive effort to “green” the city, an aggressive poverty-reduction initiative and several education initiatives.
Among Mayor Diaz’s numerous awards is the Manhattan Institute’s 2004 Urban Innovator of the Year and the 2006 National Public Leadership in the Arts Award by Americans for the Arts and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. In 2008, Mayor Diaz was named one of America’s Best Leaders by the U.S. News Media Group in association with the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School. https://www.miamigov.com/cms/mayor/ |
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Octavio Hernandez
Octavio Hernández is one of U.S. Century Bank’s founders. Prior to joining the Bank, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer at First Bank of Miami and at Bankers Savings Bank. Under his management, both institutions significantly increased their total asset base and loan portfolios while also improving their regulatory ratings. Previously, he oversaw the retail banking, commercial lending and international private banking divisions as Senior Vice President at BankUnited and at Consolidated Bank.
Mr. Hernández began his career in community and retail banking at Coral Gables Federal where he served as Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager. He later moved to Amerifirst Bank where he oversaw commercial lending and operations at the bank’s 24 Miami-Dade County branches.
Mr. Hernández currently serves on the Boards of The Florida Bankers Association and The South Florida Banking institute. In 2008, he received the “Banker of the Year Award” from the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and was inducted into the Miami Dade College Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in banking. Hernández was also named “Banker of the Year 2004-2005” by The Cuban American Bankers Association. |
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Javier Hernandez-Lichtl
Javier Hernandez-Lichtl was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of South Miami Hospital in June of 2007 after serving as Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Baptist Health since 2003. Previously, Mr. Hernandez-Lichtl held the position of Chief Executive Officer of Baptist Health Enterprises, Inc. and Baptist Outpatient Services, Inc. Mr. Hernandez-Lichtl also held the position of Vice President and other executive positions at Baptist Hospital.
Mr. Hernandez-Lichtl holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Holy Cross College and a Master’s Degree of Healthcare Administration from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mr. Hernandez-Lichtl serves on the Board of the Florida Sterling Council, Chairman of Miami International University of Art & Design, Florida International University Honors College, University of Miami School of Nursing – Momentum Capital Campaign Committee and previously Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. He led the 2008 Heart Walk, the 2008 March for Babies and the healthcare division for the 2003 Miami Dade United Way campaign. Mr. Hernandez-Lichtl is a Leadership Florida Class alumnus, served on the Board of STARS/Hope Mentoring program, and served on the Regent’s Advisory Council for the South Florida Division of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Mr. Hernandez-Lichtl is the recipient of the PriceWaterhouse/South Florida Business Journal UP and Comers Award. |
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Neisen O. Kasdin
Neisen Kasdin was instrumental in the revitalization of South Beach through his service as Chair of the Community Development Corporation for South Beach and as a City Commissioner and Mayor of Miami Beach. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Miami Downtown Development Authority. Neisen practices in the areas of land use and zoning, public-private partnerships, local government law, and procurement. Among his most prominent client work, Neisen has represented Developers Diversified Realty and the Midtown Miami Community Development District on the development of Midtown Miami, a more than three million square-foot mixed-use development built on an abandoned rail yard in Miami. Neisen has been recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US as one of the leading land use lawyers in Florida. Akerman Senterfit
Neisen Kasdin has spoken and written extensively on urban revitalization, public-private projects, land use, and historic preservation for the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and other organizations.
He has been involved in many community organizations including: Miami Downtown Development Authority, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors; Beacon Council, Past Chair ;Urban Land Institute (ULI), Trustee and Past Chair; Southeast Florida/Caribbean District Council; Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce; New World Center Committee, Past Chair;New World Symphony, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Wolfsonian Institute/Florida International University, Board Member; University of Miami School of Architecture, Advisory Board Member; Miami-Dade County Bar Association, Member and The Florida Bar, Member
Kasdin received his J.D. from the University of Florida and his B.A. from Northwestern University. |
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Howard Lucas
Howard B. Lucas, CPA, ABV is a partner and the CEO of Goldstein Schechter Koch accounting and consulting firm. His responsibilities include guiding the firm in meeting its vision and value statements as well as strategic planning initiatives. Howard has a loyal client base where he delivers personal attention serving clients as an experienced advisor to privately owned businesses and their owners and families in enhancing profitability, tax savings, as well as reaching their financial and estate planning goals. He is also the leader of the business valuation practice for the firm.
Howard shows remarkable leadership in the organization. He is strong, communicative and steadfast keeping the company morale high and leading GSK in the right direction. Howard continues to guide Goldstein Schechter Koch to the next level of success with excellent leadership.
Howard has tremendous dedication to the South Florida community especially with his commitment to the National Kidney Foundation of Florida. He was recognized in May 2008 for outstanding community volunteerism for the National Kidney Foundation. Howard actively spends 10/15 hours a month on community activity. He was the past President of the Kidney Foundation of South Florida, and currently serves on the executive committee for the organization serving the kidney patients, transplant recipients and medical community for the entire state of Florida. Howard is also actively involved with the Estate Planning Council of Miami, the Professional Advisory Committee of the Foundation for the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. |
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Gilbert Salguero
Radio Disney Miami
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