Movers in South Florida

Senior vice president for MTV Networks Latin America

Juan Carlos Acosta, chief financial officer of MTV Networks Latin America, has been promoted to senior vice president and will expand his role to include Executive In Charge of Production. Previously, he built a successful track record in a variety of key roles with major media companies including Disney, MGM and NBCU/Telemundo, where he developed his financial expertise in studio/production, distribution, consumer products, program sales and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

Senior vice president and partner for Keller Williams Elite Properties

Serge Kay has been hired as senior vice president and partner for Keller Williams Elite Properties. He is a top producer and master broker specialing in luxury homes and condos on the beach. He is a member of the Ethics and Greivance Committees for the Realtor Board Dade County.

Program director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Dennis Scholl, a longtime Miami arts advocate, has joined the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as Miami program director. He will work with local leaders to identify opportunities for investing in innovative ideas and programs. Previously, he served as founding chair of the Guggenheim Photography Committee, of the Tate Modern American Acquisitions Committee and of the Miami Art Museum Collectors Council. He has also served on the boards of the Aspen Art Museum, the North Miami Museum of Contemporary Art and the alternative art space Locust Projects, of which he was chair.

Board of Directors for The Miami-Dade Public Library Foundation

The Miami-Dade Public Library Foundation has appointed new officers to its Board of Directors: Diane Ashley, partner at Zenith Capital Partners, will serve as president; Jane Herron will serve as vice president; Maria E. Arriola Velez, principal at Maria E. Arriola Velez, will serve as treasurer; and Christine A. Gudaitis, partner at Ver Ploeg & Lumpkin, will serve as secretary.

Board of Directors for The Mercy Foundation

The Mercy Foundation, the principal fundraising arm for Mercy Hospital, has announced its 2009 Board of Directors officers: Jay Ziskind, president and chief executive officer of Global Surgical Partners, will serve as chairman; Julio Ramirez, executive vice president of global operations for Burger King, will serve as vice chairman; Alicia Cervera, chairman of Related Cervera Realty Services, will serve as secretary; and
Federico Sanchez, senior vice president of investments for UBS Financial Services, will serve as treasurer.

Planned Giving Council name-change

The Planned Giving Council of Miami-Dade is now known as the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning of Miami-Dade. The new name change reflects the broader mission and constituency for the organization. The organization will continue LEAVE A LEGACY, its community outreach program to remind the public that "everyone can be a philanthropist."

Partner hired for Bilzin Sumberg

Jon Chassen has been hired as partner in the real estate and distressed property groups at the law firm of Bilzin Sumberg. He focuses his practice on distressed real property assets, and has handled all types of real estate matters, including commercial real estate transactions, contracts, loan documentation and leases. He represents lenders, purchasers, sellers, developers, landlords and tenants in transactions such as the acquisition/sale, development and operation of warehouses, shopping centers, marinas, office buildings and industrial property.

Newly established firm: Heller Waldman

Dan P. Heller and Glen H. Waldman, both former equity partners at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod, have founded the firm of Heller Waldman, providing legal services in the areas of estate planning and litigation/arbitration. Heller is board certified in wills, trusts and estates and focuses his practice on estate planning, tax planning, probate administration, guardianship administration, and trust law. Waldman is a litigator and business counselor, handling contested matters in a variety of areas and venues, including, commercial, real estate, construction, probate, insurance coverage, and reinsurance as well as providing business guidance for a variety of entities. Eleanor T. Barnett and Robert S. Beraha, both previously with Bilzin Sumberg, are joining Heller Waldman as partners to assist with the firm's litigation and estate planning practices, respectively.

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Partner named for Ruden McClosky

Richard B. Sabra has been hired as partner in the Trusts & Estates Practice Group for the law firm of Ruden McClosky. Previously, he was a trusts and estates partner for Shutts & Bowen and served as an adjunct professor for the School of Business Management at Nova Southeastern University.

Partner named for Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate

Katherine Scott Webb has been named partner at the law and governmental consulting firm Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate. Previously, she served as an associate, and prior to joining the firm she practiced commercial litigation law in Orlando, Florida. She is a member of the Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals, and the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists.