Harriet Johnson Brackey has joined The Enrichment Group in Miami as a financial planner. She was the personal finance columnist for the Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale for the last five years and for The Miami Herald for 10 years. She also was a reporter at Business Week magazine and at USA TODAY, where she was a founder and part of the original staff of the Money section. In 2008, her columns were named "The Best in the Business," a national award chosen by colleagues at the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.
Joel Rothman promoted to equity partner, Jerold Schneider named partner at Arnstein & Lehr
Arnstein & Lehr LLP has promoted Joel Rothman to equity partner and Jerold I. Schneider has joined the firm as partner.
Rothman heads the firm’s intellectual property practice group and has been with the firm for less than two years.
Schneider will work out of the firm’s West Palm Beach office. He will focus his practice on intellectual property litigation and transactions, including patent applications and patent infringement litigation. He is a former patent examiner and most recently was partner at Novak, Druce & Quigg. Before that, he was co-chair of the intellectual property litigation practice group at Akerman Senterfitt.
Reynaldo Velazquez named partner at Ford & Harrison
Reynaldo Velazquez has been named a partner in the Miami law office of Ford & Harrison LLP. He practiced at Velazquez Law Firm, P.A. in Miami. At Ford & Harrison, he will focus his practice on representing and counseling management in labor and employment matters.
Carlos Lamourtte named senior VP, domestic commercial banking regional manager at Mercantil Commercebank
Carlos Lamourtte has been named senior vice president, domestic commercial banking regional manager for the east region at Mercantil Commercebank. He will be responsible for managing the east region commercial lending team and will focus on expanding existing commercial banking relationships and the customer base. He was senior vice president of corporate lending at U.S. Century Bank. He also has held various commercial banking and management positions, including vice president of corporate at Regions Bank and Banco Santander.
Pamela L. Wendel named senior VP and chief operations manager at Pacific National Bank
Pamela L. Wendel has joined Pacific National Bank as senior vice president and chief operations manager. She will work with Lorrie Candiotti, chief operating officer, in ensuring that the bank operates at maximum efficiency and top compliance. For nearly 13 years, she was employed as senior vice president, chief operations manager and assistant security officer at Metrobank. Before that, she was with BankAtlantic as assistant vice president, branch manager and residential loan specialist.
Kimarie Stratos named senior VP and general counsel at Memorial Healthcare System
Kimarie Stratos has joined Memorial Healthcare System as senior vice president and general counsel. She was the first senior vice president and general counsel of Miami Children’s Hospital, a position she held since 2002. She has more than 20 years experience in health law. As chief legal officer, she will provide advice to senior management on many issues, including regulatory and compliance matters and insurance issues. She also will report to the board of commissioners for the South Broward Hospital District and advise on governance and other matters.
Gregory Shepherd named dean of UM's School of Communication
Gregory J. Shepherd has been named the new dean of the University of Miami School of Communication. He is dean of the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University and will assume his new role at UM July 1. Before joining Ohio University in 2001, he was an assistant and associate professor at the University of Kansas from 1989 to 2001. Before that, he was an assistant professor at the University of Iowa from 1983 to 1989.
Thomas Schramm named director of development at Florida Grand Opera
Thomas Schramm has been named director of development at Florida Grand Opera (FGO). He will work closely with Robert Heuer, general director and chief executive officer of FGO, in planning the company’s fundraising program as it approaches its 71st anniversary. He served as development officer for Baptist Health South Florida, leading fundraising efforts for Homestead, Doctors, West Kendall and Baptist Children’s Hospitals. He also was director of development and community relations for Sunrise Community, and served as advisor in fundraising efforts throughout Florida and six other states.
Mindy Szarowicz named to the board of director at Latin Builders Association
Mindy Szarowicz, who serves as director of business development with the South Florida company Baker Concrete Construction, has been named to the board of directors of The Latin Builders Association, one of the largest Hispanic construction associations in the United States.
