Movers in South Florida

Judit Fabian named director of venture capital services at Cassel Salpeter & Co.

Judit Fabian will serve as director of venture capital services at Cassel Salpeter & Co., an investment banking firm in Miami. She will focus on financial advisory services and capital sourcing for emerging, high growth companies primarily in technology, mobile applications, biotechnology, and healthcare industries. She will assist companies with raising early stage and venture capital. She was interim chief financial officer for incubated companies at Nextera Enterprises; she also worked with Early Stage IT & Internet Companies as a financial advisor through a Baltimore-based incubator, and provided market expansion services to U.S. technology companies doing business in Europe. Before that, she also was an underwriting analyst at GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation. She also serves on the board of trustees for the Miami Science Museum.

Lanelle Meidan joins Ackerman Link & Sartory as an associate

Lanelle Meidan has joined the law firm of Ackerman Link & Sartory, P.A. in West Palm Beach as an associate. Her practice will focus on complex commercial litigation. Before joining Ackerman Link, she was a litigation attorney with Skadden Arps in Chicago and California and before that, with Winston & Strawn in Washington, D.C. 

Nancy Batista-Rodriguez promoted to vice president of Baptist Outpatient Services

Nancy Batista-Rodriguez has been promoted to vice president of Baptist Outpatient Services, part of Baptist Health South Florida that operates outpatient facilities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. She will oversee the Medical Arts Surgery Centers on the South Miami and Baptist Hospital campuses, Galloway Endoscopy Center and Baptist Health Breast Center. She started at Baptist Outpatient Services in 2003 as manager of Baptist Medical Plaza at Doral. In 2007, she transitioned to managing Baptist Outpatient Services' second joint venture at the Medical Arts Surgery Center at South Miami. She eventually became director of the Medical Arts Surgery Center at both Baptist and South Miami. After a promotion to assistant vice president in 2010, she oversaw the openings of Baptist Sleep Centers at Miami Lakes, Pembroke Pines, Galloway and Sunset.

Barry Wander joins advisory board of Partnership for Preventive Pet Healthcare

Dr. Barry Wander has been named to the national advisory board of the Partnership for Preventive Pet Healthcare. He is one of 10 veterinarians who will represent the interests of the 82,000 veterinarians of the American Veterinary Medical Association and 16 other veterinarian associations that helped form the partnership to insure that pets receive regular preventive care. He is founder of the Wander Animal Hospital in Kendall.

Steven Harper promoted to partner at Harper Meyer in Miami

Steven M. Harper has been promoted to partner in the Miami law firm Harper Meyer Perez Hagen O'Connor Albert & Dribin LLP. He was an associate with the firm for five years. He will focus his practice on aviation and maritime finance, taxation and regulation. He also works in the firm’s international and corporate practice groups, structuring corporate entities via shareholder and partnership agreements that enhance international tax and estate planning goals, and in structuring licensing, distribution and other cross-border transactions.

Four attorneys promoted to partner at Bilzin Sumberg law firm

Andres G. Mendoza, Melissa C. Pallett-Vasquez, William W. Riley and David T. Schubauer, attorneys at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP, have been promoted to partners of the law firm.

Pallett-Vasquez will serve in the firm's litigation group and will focus her practice on commercial contract disputes and real estate-related litigation. She joined the firm in 2005.

 

 

Riley will serve in the land use and government relations group and will focus his practice on representing developers and construction lenders seeking development and approvals during the comprehensive planning, zoning, subdivision and permitting process. He joined the firm in 2002.

 

 

Mendoza will serve in the firm's corporate and securities group and will focus his practice in mergers and acquisitions, private investment funds, joint ventures, securities and corporate governance. He joined the firm in 2007.

 

 

Schubauer also will serve in the firm's corporate and securities group and will concentrate his practice in securities law, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate law. He joined the firm in 2006.

 

Wayne H. Miller named vice president, credit manager at Marquis Bank

Wayne H. Miller has been named vice president and credit manager at Coral Gables-based Marquis Bank. He will oversee the bank’s credit department through the supervision of a team of credit analysts. Before joining Marquis Bank, he was credit manager at Intercredit Bank in Miami. Before that, he held management positions at Capital Bank in Miami and Union Bank in Plantation. He also was senior credit administrator and loan portfolio manager at Mercantil Commercebank in Coral Gables. 

Manuel Fernandez named executive vice president of logistics operations at Flagler

Manuel A. Fernandez has been named executive vice president of logistics operations at Flagler, a real estate company headquartered in Coral Gables. He will spearhead the development of the company's South Florida logistics center, a 400-acre intermodal complex adjacent to the Miami International Airport. He also will be responsible for a newly launched logistics practice. Before joining Flagler, he was senior vice president with International Container Terminal Services, Inc., a global container terminal management company. Before that, he held senior positions with top international logistics companies, including DHL Express (USA), Inc., APL LTD. and CSX Corporation. 

Carlos Santos named vice president of communications at Republica

Carlos Santos has been named vice president of communications at República, a Miami-based advertising, branding, interactive and communications agency. He will oversee the firm's communications, public relations and media relations practices. He was general manager of corporate communications for Latin America and the Caribbean at Delta Air Lines. Before joining Delta, he was public relations manager at TXU Energy in Texas.

Sheryl Moore joins Fowler White Burnett as shareholder

Sheryl A. Moore has joined Fowler White Burnett, P.A., as shareholder to head the firm's family law practice. She will be working out of the firm's Fort Lauderdale office. She focuses on all aspects of family law including divorce, paternity, post divorce matters such as modification, enforcement and contempt, step-parent adoptions, adoptions, child support, custody and time-sharing, relocation, equitable distribution, alimony and support, domestic violence, parental responsibility and support unconnected to dissolution of marriage. She is board certified by the Florida Bar in Marital and Family Law.

Carol Fox joins GlassRatner Advisory as senior managing director

Carol Fox has joined GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group, LLC, as senior managing director in the firm's Miami office. Before joining the firm, she was a partner at Kapila & Company. For more than a decade, her practice has focused on providing forensic and investigative services to debtors, federal bankruptcy trustees and examiners, creditors' committees, court-appointed assignees and financial institutions. Her areas of expertise include providing litigation consulting and expert witness services, insolvency analysis, asset-tracing and Ponzi investigations. She also has provided extensive restructuring and bankruptcy related services for situations involving distressed real estate.

Richard Brilliant promoted to senior vice president and chief audit executive at Carnival Corporation

Richard Brilliant has been promoted to senior vice president of management advisory services and chief audit executive for Miami-based Carnival Corporation & plc. He will be responsible for managing an international team of nearly 60 professionals. He also will be responsible for the audit committee of the board of directors. He began his career with the Carnival organization in 1994 as a senior financial/operational auditor and held multiple audit and advisory positions before being named vice president and chief audit executive in 2006. Before joining Carnival, he began his career in the hospitality consulting services group of Kenneth Leventhal & Company.

Mahesh Pattabhiraman promoted to senior vice president, chief lending officer at Apollo Bank

Mahesh Pattabhiraman has been promoted to senior vice president, chief lending officer at Apollo Bank, a Miami-based community bank. In this new role, he will lead the bank’s lending department and oversee its growing team of commercial lending officers. His duties will include managing the bank’s loan portfolios, engaging in business development, and ensuring that the institution’s lending goals are met. He joined the bank in 2010 as senior vice president, commercial lending officer. Before joining Apollo Bank, he was vice president of commercial lending at Pacific National Bank in Miami. 

Steven Clark named first vice president and service director at City National Bank of Florida

Steven Clark has been named first vice president and service director at City National Bank of Florida (CNB). He will oversee the bank's internal and external client experience, service and loyalty programs. Before joining CNB, he was vice president, service & member experience director for University & State Employees (USE) Credit Union of California for eight years. Before that, he was the national client relations director for a mail-order pharmacy, overseeing call center functions, patient relations, and the loyalty and service programs. He began his career as concierge manager, guest relations director and guest services manager working for numerous luxury hotel brands. 

Peter Raffalski promoted to an executive vice president at Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust

Peter Raffalski has been promoted to executive vice president, market executive for Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust's Ocean Reef branch. He has spent more than 14 years at Gibraltar Private and has served in numerous roles with the bank. Most recently, he was the executive vice president, chief branding and community relations officer, where he oversaw the bank's Wealth & Well-Being Institute, community and shareholder outreach, marketing, public relations and branding. Before that, he was the bank's chief credit officer.

Camilo Padilla-Andrade named vice president of acquisitions at LYND

Camilo Padilla-Andrade has been named vice president of acquisitions at LYND, a national real estate investment, development and management firm. He will be based in the firm’s Miami office. In this newly-created position, he will be responsible for sourcing and managing the acquisition of multi-family, office, industrial, retail and other commercial real estate investments throughout South Florida and the United States. Before joining LYND, he was director of acquisitions for Pointe Group Advisors, a commercial real estate company in Miami. Before that, he managed acquisitions for CNL Financial Group in Orlando. 

Gilberto Barreto promoted to partner at the law firm Berk, Merchant & Sims

Gilberto J. Barreto has been promoted to partner at the law firm of Berk, Merchant & Sims, PLC in Coral Gables. He was an associate with the firm which represents clients in Florida and globally in first and third party insurance defense and contract litigation. His practice experience includes property insurance and general liability/injury defense, bad faith insurance defense, automobile and PIP (Personal Injury Protection) defense, and small claims matters.

Thomas W. Olliff named senior vice president for administration at Broward College

Thomas W. Olliff has been named senior vice president for administration at Broward College. He will oversee the overall planning, operation and evaluation of the college's non-academic programs and services and also for providing senior leadership for all administrative areas, including finance and budget, operations, facilities, procurement, human resources, information technology and economic development. He also will represent the college in various civic, community and professional organizations at the local, state, and national level. Before joining the college, he was deputy executive director of the South Florida Water Management District, acting as the agency's chief operating officer. Before that, he worked with Collier County Government for 19 years, concluding with his service as the county administrator.

Robert J. Pietrykowski named vice president of human resources at Nova Southeastern University

Robert J. Pietrykowski has been named vice president of human resources at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). In his new role, he will provide strategic leadership in the planning and implementation of human resources programs for employee productivity and a healthy work-life balance. He was assistant vice president for human resources and chief negotiator at Cleveland State University. Before that, he held various positions in health care, human services and as a labor attorney for an Ohio-based law firm. He will begin his new position at NSU Feb. 13.

Hugo D. Carreño, Jr. named vice president, banking center manager at City National Bank of Florida

Hugo D. Carreño, Jr. has been named vice president and banking center manager of the Pompano Beach location of City National Bank of Florida (CNB). Before joining CNB, he was a branch sales and service manager at Mercantil Commerce Bank. He has more than 24 years banking experience. 

Sonya Cañas named vice president and commercial banking officer at Mercantil Commercebank

Sonya Cañas has been named vice president and commercial banking officer at Mercantil Commercebank. Based at the bank's Coral Gables headquarters, she will be responsible for providing loans and bank products to companies in the Miami-Dade market. Before joining Mercantil Commercebank, she was a vice president at Bank United in Hialeah for two years, where she was responsible for expanding relationships with businesses in Miami-Dade.

Javier Torres promoted to principal, shareholder and owner at M.C. Harry and Associates

Javier O. Torres has been promoted to principal, shareholder and owner of M.C. Harry and Associates. He has worked with the firm for 12 years and was a project manager before the promotion. He has more than 14 years professional experience in the planning, programming, design, and construction administration of numerous facilities for municipalities, government agencies and public institutions. He joins James W. Piersol and Thomas M. Carlson as shareholder and owner.

Margaret Smith named Chapter 7 Panel Bankruptcy Trustee in Southern District of Florida

Margaret J. Smith, a principal of GlassRatner Advisory & Capital Group, LLC, has been named a Chapter 7 Panel Bankruptcy Trustee in the Southern District of Florida. She is a certified public accountant, a certified insolvency and restructuring advisor, a certified fraud examiner, and has various business valuation certifications. She has more than 27 years experience in public and forensic accounting, bankruptcy consulting and providing fiduciary services. Her practice focuses on providing bankruptcy litigation and forensic accounting services to debtors, creditors and bankruptcy trustees. 

Commercial Real Estate Women names new president, new board of directors

Maria Juncadella has been named the new president of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW-Miami). She is principal of Fairchild Partners, a boutique commercial real estate firm in Coral Gables. She also will be responsible for the launch of Inspiring Innovation, a regional education campaign to encourage commercial real estate professionals to tap into new technologies and embrace social media platforms for new business opportunities and professional relationships. In addition to Juncadella, CREW's new board of directors include Margaret Nee of Pointe Group Advisors as president-elect; Terri K. Echarte of Atlantic | Pacific Companies as secretary; Sonia Cabello of Ortega Construction as treasurer; and Suzanne Amaducci-Adams of Bilzin Sumberg Baena & Price as legal counsel.

Felix Vulis joins the board of directors of Net Element

Felix Vulis has been named to the board of directors of Net Element, a South Florida-based developer and publisher of Internet services powered by a video-based technology platform. He is chief executive officer of Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC), a natural resources group, performing integrated mining, processing, energy, logistics and marketing operations.

Henry Jimenez named president of Kiwanis Club of Little Havana

Henry Jimenez has been named president of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana. He will lead the organization's community projects and oversee events including Carnaval Miami and Calle Ocho. He will serve as president through 2013. He is senior vice president of Benworth Capital Partners, an equity lender and property management firm in Coral Gables.

Andrew Sherry named vice president of communications at the Knight Foundation

Andrew Sherry has been named vice president of communications at John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. He will lead the foundation’s strategic communications and marketing functions. His responsibilities will include press outreach, government relations and managing the foundation’s offline and online communications platforms, including web strategy and social networking. He also will be a member of the foundation’s executive committee. He was senior vice president, online communications at the Center for American Progress. Before that, he was director, online ventures at USA TODAY and vice president of a Hong Kong-based travel technology start-up, after a journalism career that included serving as AFP correspondent in Vietnam and Cambodia and regional editor of the Dow Jones-owned Far Eastern Economic Review.

Brian Sepe named dean of Miami Dade College School of Business

Brian Sepe has been hired as the dean of Miami Dade College’s (MDC) School of Business. Most recently, he was the managing director and head of Latin America and Canada Wealth Management for Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management, where he was responsible for the business operations and risk management, growth initiatives, and overall strategic development for the wealth management businesses in those areas. His career as a financial advisor began in the 1970s. He then moved into a leadership role at Merrill Lynch’s private wealth group in 1992, ultimately running the U.S. Northeast division in 2008 and then taking on the role of head of Latin America business in 2009.

Bill Harber, David Candib promoted to executive positions at Carnival Corporation

Bill Harber has been promoted to vice president of corporate marketing and David Candib has been promoted from director of business development to vice president of port and destination development and operations in the port and destination development division of Miami-based Carnival Corporation & plc.

Harber will be responsible for marketing and profit improvement initiatives for the company’s 10 cruise brands and identifying guest source markets and operational models for growth. He joined Carnival in 2004 to help establish a corporate-wide IT function and has had increasing responsibilities within the corporate shared services group. He was promoted to lead the company’s corporate marketing efforts in 2008. He also manages global market research and key performance indicators for these areas and cross-promotes brands in North America through the World’s Leading Cruise Lines marketing alliance. Before joining Carnival, he was a management consultant with A.T. Kearney for six years and also served as director of product marketing for a technology start-up.

For the past year, Candib has been responsible for Grand Turk Cruise Center operations and development, and the new port project near Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. He also has been responsible for relations with regional ports under corporate contracts. His new responsibilities include oversight of all Miami-based corporate port operations, areas of new port development and the corporation's port reservation system - a Web-based reservation system for ports in the Caribbean and North America under corporate contract. 

Jordan Simler named vice president at City National Bank of Florida

Jordan Simler has been named vice president, banking center manager for City National Bank of Florida (CNB). He will be based at CNB's Young Circle location in Hollywood. Before joining CNB, he was a branch sales and service manager at Regions Bank.