APRIL 2013
Committees Key DBC Success BY NELSON PEÑALVER Chairman Doral Business Council
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he DBC engines are running at full speed. We are working aggressively on the different committees, each of which plays an integral role in this organization. One of the best ways to grow your business and maximize your membership is by getting involved in one of the 11 working committees of DBC that form the life-blood of our organization. With dedicated Chairs, serving in a leadership capacity, each committee does significant work to support the strategic mission of the DBC. Each year the committees convene to set goals for the upcoming year, laying out those priorities that will keep the organization well-positioned as the voice for the Doral business community. Most committees meet monthly on a set day and time. Choose a committee to grow your business and choose one to grow professionally. The current committees are Education, DBC Forum, Financial Services, Small Business, Healthcare, International Business, Trustees, Ambassadors, Women’s Alliance, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, and Commercial & Industrial Real Estate. The Education Committee had its first event of the year on March 12 at a Signature Breakfast in the Doral Golf Spa Resort, sponsored by Florida National University (FNU). We had an excellent turnout for the event, due in part by the presence of the keynote speaker, Miami Dade School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. Mr. Carvalho impressed the audience as he eloquently described the remarkable progress achieved during his five-year tenure as leader of the nation’s fourth largest school district. The event was a
––––––––––––– See SUCCESS, page 5
6 Women Recognized as Doralian Women Leaders
HEALTH CARE CORNER The Power of Older Americans.... BY BLANCA CEBALLOS, Manager Caregiver Resource Center United HomeCare
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Doralian Women Leaders include (l-r) Maria “Toni” Bilbao, Gloria Burns, Lizz Wiegandt with Doral Vice Mayor Bettina Rodriguez Aguilera, Mayor Luigi Boria, Councilwoman Ana Maria Rodriguez, Emily BelloPardo and Carolina Sivoli, . (Not in photo: Mariela Romero). All received a Proclamation from Mayor Boria and were honored at a luncheon catered and served by DIVIETO Italian-American Fusion. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
BY LEE STEPHENS
In honor of Women’s History Month, Doral Mayor Luigi Boria and the City Council created a special Women’s History Month Proclamation entitled “Transcending Boundaries – Creating Brilliance” to recognize Doralian Women Leaders. Winners in the 26-plus years category were: Business: Elizabeth (Lizz) Wiegandt, Cadillac Director of Mary Kay; Arts: Tied between Mariela Romero, writer of telenovelas, and Maria A. Bilbao, retired from Miami Dade College involved in Doral arts and culture; Communications: Gloria Burns, Columnist and Marketing Representative
of Miami Community Newspapers and the Doral Tribune; Community: Carolina Sivoli, civic activist. The 25 and under honor was awarded to Emily Bello-Pardo, FIU student; a posthumous award was named in honor of Andrea Nicole Castillo. Runners-up included Gisela Thomas, Dilia Melean Tomassetti, Tailleen Arias, Jessie López, Becky Miller, Elena Ortega-Tauler, Esq., Carmen Gómez, Liana Hernández, Manuela Guardia, Malexys Morales and Dominique Barbara. Nominations were opened to women residents of Doral in two age cat-
––––––––––– See WOMEN LEADERS, page 5
lder Americans play an incredibly important role in our community, sharing their talents, wisdom, and life experiences with families, friends and neighbors. They are productive, active and influential members of society, and their numbers are growing. There are more than 41 million people aged 65 and older in the United States. By 2025, that segment of the population is expected to nearly double. Some 17 percent of Florida residents are seniors, highest of any state, according to U.S. Census data. Here in Miami-Dade County, seniors currently make up 14 percent of the population. Since 1963, May has been designated Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their ability to make a real difference in our communities. This year’s theme, established by the Administration on Aging, is “Unleash the Power of Age!” to highlight the significant contributions made by hundreds of thousands of older Americans across our nation. Seniors volunteer throughout our community as mentors, coaches or companions to people in need. They contribute their job skills and expertise to community projects and organizations. At United HomeCare, seniors volunteer to help some of the nearly 5,000 elderly and disabled adults we care for, by assisting them with shopping and light chores or just making a friendly visit. One of our volunteers in her 60’s has contributed a few hours each month for the past 10 years, helping a UHC client who is in her 80’s. This beautiful friend-
––––– See HEALTH CARE CORNER, page 5