Meet the Business Leaders Fueling Florida & Moving Miami

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Florida is hot – and we’re not talking about the weather. Nearly 1,000 people are migrating to Florida daily. The state’s unemployment rate is well below the national average. And fresh capital is pouring into the Florida’s key industries at a never-before-seen pace.

None of this is by accident. Sure, Florida has always benefited from great weather and low taxes – but it’s the collective effort of the state’s business and civic leaders which is driving this momentum.

Each year, Florida Trend magazines compiles a list of the 500 men and women who are shaping the state’s future. The Florida 500 features the influencers who are powering industries and charting a course for the state’s future.

The list includes attorneys structuring landmark deals, bankers providing capital to businesses large and small, and real estate visionaries who are reshaping communities.

Following are highlights from this year’s Florida 500 – an introduction to the people who are Fueling Florida and Moving Miami.

Access the full list here.

Tadd Schwartz, President, Schwartz Media

“We build projects that redefine the market standard of luxury and which will appeal to buyers 10, 20, 30 years down the road.”

Ugo Colombo, Founder of CMC Group

John Sumberg, Chairman, Bilzin Sumberg

“CNB’s long-term growth strategy is built upon serving the companies, families, and individuals that will shape Florida’s future, and that means expanding our relationships with existing clients and capturing business from new clients arriving in our state.”

Jorge Gonzalez, Vice Chairman & CEO of City National Bank

Constance Collins, President & Executive Director, Sundari Foundation

“We value shaping a safer, healthier, and more culturally engaged South Florida for our children.”

David Martin, CEO of Terra

“In the last six months, we have seen a radical shift in the region’s business landscape fueled by financial firms, investors and the tech industry all cementing roots in South Florida. As our economy diversifies, we are investing in expanding our residential lending division to support our clients’ evolving needs.”

Eddy Arriola, Chairman & CEO of Apollo Bank

Alan Kluger, Shareholder Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen & Levine

“This year amidst the pandemic, Bilzin Sumberg focused on bringing resources to residents and businesses in Florida that were not readily accessible, such as first-hand guidance from professionals at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and physicians from Baptist Health South Florida.”

Al Dotson, Managing Partner, Bilzin Sumberg

“To be innovative and competitive, it helps to connect with other high-quality performers, to be exposed to different ideas, have your own theories tested, and strive for a better way.”

Philippe Houdard, Co-Founder & CEO of Pipeline Workspaces

Tim Rivers, Florida Market Director, JLL

“During the pandemic, Skanska donated thousands of items of PPE to hospitals, law enforcement, and others and accelerated the completion of thousands of hospital beds to treat patients with COVID.”

Michael Brown, Exec. Vice President & GM for FL of Skanska USA Building

“We’ve managed to reshape once blighted neighborhoods throughout Downtown Miami into thriving 24/7 districts.”

Martin Melo, Principal of Melo Group

Nitin Motwani, Managing Partner, Miami World Center Associates

“I went from working in finance in New York City to building loft, condo, and multifamily projects in Miami. Nothing makes me prouder than to see the evolution of Miami’s riverfront and communities like Allapattah knowing that I’ve played a role in enhancing these neighborhoods.”

Lissette Calderon, President & CEO of Neology Life Development Group

Everything comes back to housing. If we could figure out how to keep people housed, a lot of our other community problems would be solved.

Stephanie Berman-Einsenberg, President, Carrfour Supportive Housing

“We develop prime resort and transformational mixed-use projects with long-term, solid fundamentals, resulting in higher investment returns and a lower risk profile.”

Dev Motwani, Managing Partner of Merrimac Ventures

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