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Michael Johnson joins Titan Salvage

michael johnsonPOMPANO BEACH ­– TITAN Salvage, the marine salvage and wreck removal subsidiary of Crowley Maritime Corp., has named Michael G. Johnson as vice president of business strategy and process. Johnson previously was vice president of project management for Crowly’s project management organization, Solutions, which he helped form in 2011. Before joining Crowley, Johnson worked as an independent marine contractor, providing engineering, project management, construction management and other services. He started his career with Diamond Offshore and Santa Fe Drilling. He is a graduate of Texas A&M at Galveston.

 

 

Kent Ellert elected CEO at Florida Community Bank

WESTON — Kent S. Ellert has been elected as chief executive officer of Florida Community Bank. Ellert will assume his new role effective Jan. 26. Ellert has been president and COO of the bank’s holding company, Bond Street Holdings Inc. He also sits on the board of both the bank and the holding company. Before joining FCB, Ellert had a 23-year  career in Florida banking. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Houston, where he received an MBA with a concentration in finance.  Florida  Community Bank has more than $3.5 billion in assets and 41 locations, including Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach, making it the 5th largest independent bank in the state.

Karen Granger named interim president of the Delray Chamber

DELRAY BEACH — Karen Granger has been named interim president of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce. Granger joined the chamber in November 2011 as vice president. She has been a resident of South Palm Beach County for 24 years, worked at Levenger in public relations and marketing, and at the West Palm Beach law firm of Gunster Yoakley.  She also owned her own public relations business.

 

Marc Rodriguez joins Association Services of Florida

MIRAMAR — Marc Rodriguez has joined Association Services of Florida, an Associa company, as assistant director of management services. Rodriguez joined the property management industry in 2005, and is a member of the company’s executive team where he will lead a group of portfolio managers. Rodriguez was president and CEO of his own property management company. Rodriguez is a member of the Community Associations Institute, and is involved in Florida legislation and how it affects community associations throughout the state. He obtained has bachelor’s degree in business administration from Florida International University and a degree in communication from the University of Phoenix.

Sabine Dantus joins Delray Library as reference librarian

sabine dantusDELRAY BEACH — Sabine Dantus has joined the Delray Beach Public Library as reference librarian. Dantus, who grew up in Miami, is a graduate of Florida International University and holds a master’s degree in mass media and journalism from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. She is working on a master’s in library science, and is expected to graduate in May. Before joining the Delray library, Dantus worked at WPBT-TV in Miami in programming and production and was a teacher and librarian at YOUmedia Miami.

 

 

 

Scott Toth named commercial market manager at Floridian Community Bank

DAVIE — Floridian Community Bank has named Scott Toth commercial market manager. Scott will work out of the bank’s corporate headquarters in Davie and where he will oversee efforts to increase the loan portfolios and the expand the bank’s commercial client base. Toth has more than 16 years of banking experience, including 12 years in South Florida with banks including First Union, Florida Capital Bank and Fifth Third Bank, Scott has  a bachelors degree from John Carroll University, and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University, both in Cleveland.  He is currently chair of the revolving loan fund in Pompano Beach for the Office of Housing and Urban Improvement, and chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance BRAVO committee.

Dr. Steven Louie receives Peoples Choice Award

ATLANTIS —Dr. Steven Louie has received a Patients' Choice Award by the American Registry. The award is based patient ratings of physicians in several categories, including accuracy of their diagnosis, time spent with patients, bedside manners and follow-up care. Louie is a specialist in allergy, asthma and immunology; he practices at the Florida Allergy & Asthma Associates.

Valentine Amousse named 'Nurse of the Month'

BOCA RATON — Valentine Amousse, a registered nurse from Boynton Beach has been named Nurse of the Month for December by Medical Staffing Network and West Palm Beach radio station Kool 105.5 FM. Amousse is a nurse at an assisted living facility in Delray Beach, and her nomination came from the daughter of one of the residents, Christine Ziebarth: "Valentine deals daily with our seniors, many of whom are wheelchair bound or Alzheimer patients. No matter what the patient's situation, Valentine treats them all with respect and always has a cheerful greeting for everyone. Whenever there has been an issue with my mother, Valentine is immediately there to discuss it and show kindness to her. Being a senior in a nursing home can be difficult for the patients, yet she ensures they are felt cared for, and that there is some dignity left in their life."

Boca Grove chef recognized by colleagues

BOCA RATON — Boca Grove Golf and Tennis Club announced that Executive Chef Dominick Laudia has been named the 2012 "Chef of the Year" by the American Culinary Federation's Palm Beach County Chapter. The award is determined by the 300 members of the American Culinary Federation Palm Beach Chapter, and is considered the highest honor bestowed by the ACF. "Chef of the Year" recognizes exceptional culinary skill coupled with advancing cuisine in America and giving back to the cooking profession through mentoring and fostering apprenticeships. This is the second time Laudia has won the award.  Laudia serves as president of the ACF's Palm Beach County chapter and has won more than 20 culinary competition medals from the American Culinary Federation. He is also a community leader and sits on the community advisory board at West Boca High Schoo,l where he is involved with Cafe Calaloo, a laboratory restaurant fully operated by upper-level students at the school's culinary academy. 

 

BankUnited hires new CIO

MIAMI LAKES — BankUnited has hired Joseph Kissel as chief information officer. Kissel comes to BankUnited from Wells Fargo Bank in Phoenix, where he served as a senior vice president and the bank’s chief technology officer.  Kissel jas more than 20 years of senior level experience leading technology and operations in banks, mortgage companies and technology companies servicing the financial industry. He has managed teams of more than 650 employees, and budgets of more than $100 million.  Kissel earned his MBA from the University of Illinois, and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Western Illinois University.

Medical Economics magazine recognizes David Katz

david katzBOCA RATON — Medical Economics magazine has named David I. Katz, a senior partner with Gitterman & Associates Wealth Management, as one of  “2012 Best Financial Advisers for Doctors.” Criteria for the selection included educational background, experience, size of firm, minimum portfolio requirements and noteworthy professional achievements. This is the second consecutive year Katz has been honored by Medical Economics and follows his recent recognition as one of Dental Products Report “2012 Best Financial Advisers For Dentists.”

He earned a BA in Economics from Brooklyn College, holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, 63, and 65 licenses as well as life and health insurance licenses, and been designated by the American College as an Accredited Asset Management Specialist. Katz serves as a regional board member of the Anti-Defamation League Florida Region, trustee member of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Rotary Club of Downtown Boca. He has two sons, who reside and work in New Jersey, and lives in Boca Raton with his wife, who is a physician, and their daughter.

Natalie Alvarez joins First Southern Bank

nancy alvarezBOCA RATON — First Southern Bank  has hired Natalie Alvarez  as vice president and market manager for the South Florida Region. Alvarez, who will be based in the bank’s North Palm Beach office, will  direct new business development, oversee office functions and seek out new opportunities for the bank within the community.

Alvarez is a 32-year resident of Palm Beach County, and has more than 25 years of banking and management experience.  Alvarez served as an office manager for Regent Bank in Palm Beach and was the assistant financial center manager for Washington Mutual and Chase in West Palm Beach. She also worked at  U.S Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management and at Wachovia Wealth Management, both in Palm Beach. Alvarez graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in organizational management from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

Alvarez is a board member of the West Palm Beach Library Foundation and Royal Poinciana Association and serves as chairwoman for the Palm Beach Atlantic University Alumni Association annual Afternoon Tea. She also served as chairwoman of the Arthritis Walk for Those Who Can’t from 2006-2008 and was a committee member for 2009, and has been a member of the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches since 2009. Natalie has also received recognition for her fundraising activities for The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, March of Dimes, The American Heart Association, Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches and Juvenile Diabetes. She was also a committee member for The March of Dimes from 1994-2006.

Palm Beach Atlantic to honor Shepherd, DeWoody

donald dewoody jrconnie shepherdWEST PALM BEACH — Palm Beach Atlantic University will honor Connie Cooper Shepherd and Donald DeWoody Jr during the university’s American Free Enterprise Day ceremony on Nov. 8. Shepherd is a senior vice president at Starbucks responsible for developing business channels for the company’s products. She’s also worked for the Hershey Co., Kellogg’s and Procter & Gamble.

DeWoody founded commercial real estate firm WGCompass Realty after graduating from college in 1988. As a consultant, he has assisted numerous public and private companies in numerous real estate deals. DeWoody previously worked as a commercial real estate appraiser for Callaway & Price.

Shepherd and DeWoody will be honored at the same ceremony Brian P. Burns, chairman of San Francisco-based BF Enterprises Inc. and a nationally recognized business attorney, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

 

 

 

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