With Father’s Day approaching, we’re shining a light on stories that go deeper than celebration: stories of legacy, mentorship, and shared purpose. At Schwartz Media Strategies, we’re proud to work with clients across industries who are not only shaping South Florida’s future, but also carrying forward values passed down from the generation before them.
For many of the region’s most influential business leaders, from public relations to real estate and beyond, their journey didn’t start with a boardroom deal. It started at home, learning by example from fathers who instilled work ethic, resilience, and a sense of responsibility. Today, those lessons continue to echo as they lead major firms, make their mark across the region, and raise families of their own.
Building With Purpose: David and Pedro Martin | Terra
David Martin, CEO of Terra, is known for developing with intention and reimagining neighborhoods like Coconut Grove by collaborating with world-renowned architects and applying urbanist principles. His path in real estate began with his father, Pedro Martin, a respected attorney who represented developers and financial institutions during his tenure at Greenberg Traurig. More than 20 years ago, David co-founded Terra alongside his father, Pedro, a partnership rooted in shared values and mutual respect for the community. While he acknowledges the doors his father helped open, he credits Pedro most of all for instilling the values that continue to guide him and which have helped Terra become one of the most active development firms in Florida. Now a resident of Coconut Grove, David is raising his own family in the same community where he grew up (and where many of his most impactful projects have taken – and are taking – shape!).
A Legacy of Vision: Daniel and Walter Lebensohn | BH3 Management
BH3 Management, a vertically integrated national real estate investment firm, has become a national player in alternative lending and selective development, thriving in today’s high-stakes capital markets. Behind Co-CEO Daniel Lebensohn’s entrepreneurial drive is the quiet but powerful influence of his father, Walter Lebensohn, a Holocaust survivor, retired math professor, and active investor. Walter emigrated to New York with limited means and a relentless work ethic, eventually building a real estate portfolio by uncovering hidden value in overlooked properties. His hands-on lessons in the Bronx shaped Daniel’s approach to investment and that ethos continues to inform BH3’s strategy of identifying opportunistic – often overlooked – real estate and unlocking value, from the Cavalleri Malibu condo conversion to creating a new joint venture that will develop Miami’s Watson Island. Walter is an active investor in the BH3 Fund Advisors platform to this day and, now in his 90s, still flips properties near his home in Delray Beach, most recently an Airbnb in Boca Raton.
Transforming South Florida Block by Block: Michael, Nicholas, and Richard Swerdlow | Swerdlow Group
Veteran developer Michael Swerdlow, Managing Partner of Swerdlow Group, has spent over 50 years delivering transformative developments across South Florida and now works alongside his two sons, Nicholas Swerdlow, Vice President, who leads financing, leasing, and coordination across the firm’s portfolio and Richard Swerdlow, an attorney who serves as the company’s General Counsel. Together, they delivered Sawyer’s Walk, a 1.5 million-square-foot, mixed-use project in Overtown with 578 affordable senior housing units and Downtown Miami’s first Target and Aldi. Next up – they are advancing the $3 billion Little River District, which will bring more than 5,700 affordable and workforce housing units, 370,000 square feet of retail space, a train station, and 250,000 square feet of green space to Miami’s Little Haiti and Little River, one of Miami-Dade’s most underserved areas. Together, the father-and-sons trio of the Swerdlows are creating housing-led developments that generate jobs and uplift communities across Miami-Dade.
A Legacy of Service: Tadd and Michael Schwartz | Schwartz Media Strategies
Schwartz Media’s very own father-son duo of Tadd and Mike Schwartz work side-by-side, with Tadd overseeing our firm and Mike handling our finances. Mike’s entrepreneurial roots go back decades, as Tadd grew up watching his father operate several small businesses in South Florida. His father’s entrepreneurial spirit and background inspired Tadd to launch his own communications firm in 2005, and the two have been working together ever since. This year, Schwartz Media Strategies celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of growth that has seen our team become one of the largest independent public relations firms in Florida, representing best in class companies that are moving Florida’s economy forward. Tadd credits both of his parents for instilling in him several values which continue to drive our firm today: the importance of bringing a strong work ethic to the job at hand, don’t be afraid to take risks, professionalism and relationships matter, creativity and service is paramount to success, and treating team members like extended family creates a deep foundation to build upon.
From Blueprint to Reality: Alan and Diego Ojeda | Rilea Group
Alan Ojeda, Rilea Group’s founder, has been on the cutting edge of real estate developing in South Florida since the firm’s inception in 1981 and was joined by his son and President of Rilea Group, Diego Ojeda in 2008. Together, the father-son duo has worked on developing marquee projects like 1450 Brickell, 1111 Brickell, The Bond and One Broadway. Diego, with a background in storytelling and film, was inspired by his father’s philosophy that Rilea Group doesn’t just develop buildings, but it brings visions to life. Alan instilled in Diego the belief that if you invest the time and build something exceptional, success will follow. Alan’s legacy runs through everything Diego builds, inspiring his new real estate venture, Cipres, responsible for projects like The Rider and Mohawk at Wynwood. Building alongside his father while carving his own path has allowed Diego to continue a legacy of excellence in real estate development.
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