Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce
Connections Acreage/Indian Trail Atlantis The Glades Greenacres Lake Clarke Shores Lake Worth Lantana Loxahatchee Groves Manalapan Palm Springs Royal Palm Beach South Palm Beach Wellington West Palm Beach
2013 Community Guide & Business Directory
PRIME RETAIL AND OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE NOW Te i m m e d iA Ncy OccuPA Le AvAiL AB
Aggressive LeAse Terms
360 to 8,066 Square Feet Available
Office, Retail, Medical and Restaurant Space Boulevard, U.S. 441 and Florida’s Turnpike Parking
Beautifully Maintained
Minutes from Southern
Onsite Management
Onsite Restaurants & Shopping
Ample Prime
Location with Excellent Visibility & Accessibility
12765 W. Forest Hill Boulevard Wellington, FL 33414 Corner of W. Forest Hill Boulevard and Wellington Trace
www.WellingtonPlaza.com FOr LeAsiNg iNFOrmATiON Please Contact: BAINBRIDGE GROUP, INC. Licensed Real Estate Broker Mary O’Neill: 561.333.3669 moneill@bainbridgere.com
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ABOUT OUR PRACTICE
Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute was established as a multi-specialty orthopaedic practice. For over thirty years, the physicians of Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute have provided their patients with the highest quality healthcare and treatment possible. Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute is a recognized leader in orthopaedics. We have 14 Physicians available to provide the most advanced orthopaedic care. All PBOI Physicians are Board Certified and many have completed fellowship training in their area of expertise. With renowned experts in many major orthopaedic sub-specialties, we pride ourselves on offering full-service cutting-edge care across the entire spectrum of musculoskeletal health. Our practice is comprised of surgeons who specialize in sports injury, upper extremity, spine disorders, total joint replacements, MAKOplasty, podiatry abnormalities, musculoskeletal disorders, and surgical and non operative treatment of the neck and spine. This sub-specialization provides patients with the highest quality of health care and treatment for their particular problem.
ABOUT YOUR CARE
We take a "total body" approach to your wellness and pride ourselves on offering full-service cutting-edge care. For sports medicine, orthopaedic surgery, physical therapy, and every other aspect of orthopaedic medicine, be assured that Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute brings each patient the best treatment that medicine has to offer. In order to achieve the finest results, we utilize state of the art diagnostic and procedural equipment including digital x-ray, ultrasound and laser technology. PBOI provides full-service orthopaedic care at several surgical facilities and hospitals all over Palm Beach County. Visit our website at www.PBOI.com where we have provided you with the resources to follow your patient care every step of the way. Whether you are looking into making an appointment, following up on diagnostic testing or have questions about your surgery, we are here to provide answers for you.
tear it.
PBOI
break it.
overwork it.
P ALM BEACH ORTHOPAEDIC INSTITUTE
we can fix it.
2055 Military Tr #200, JUP, 33458 | 3401 PGA Blvd #500, PBG, 33410 | 1411 N
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561-694-7776
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www.pboi.com
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Central Palm Beach of Commerce guideWEL, |2013| Flagler Dr #9800, WPB,County 33401 |Chamber 10111 Forest Hill Blvd #231, 33414
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When most real estate companies were downsizing, Realty Elite ® grew stronger. We experienced how new market conditions and advances in technology forever changed the way real estate is bought and sold. It was during that period that we became the deep-rooted company we are today. If you are a motivated agent, at Realty Elite ® we have what you need to fully unlock your earnings potential.
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Become part of Realty Elite ® and benefit from the tools and strategies we’ve created exclusively for our agents. Including our Realty Elite’s 2012 Listing Presentation.
You’re not alone. Our friendly and attentive administrative support staff is ready to assist you.
4. Administrative Support
For more information or to schedule a confidential interview: Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013| 5 call David at 561.964.9566 or email david@realtyeliteusa.com
You have the right to remain fabulous. With over 180 stores, The Mall at Wellington Green has something fabulous just for you. 6 |2013| Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide
Forest Hill Blvd. and US 441 • 561-227-6900 • ShopWellingtonGreen.com
Contents 9 LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO 10 CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
12 2012-13 CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS 14 CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY CHAMBER TRUSTEES 26 CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY CHAMBER AWARDS 28 CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY CHAMBER EVENTS 30 THE CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS BORN Learn the story behind the merger of the Palms West and Lake Worth chambers. After a seven-month process, the newest and geographically largest chamber in Palm Beach County launched on Feb. 27, 2012. 34 IMPORTANT AREA PHONE NUMBERS 35 CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY DEMOGRAPHICS 36 CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY AREA MAP 39 CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMUNITY PROFILES Profiles of the many communities that make up the new Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. 49 MANY TOP HOSPITALS SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES The communities of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce service area are known for being home to the best healthcare available, anchored by several exceptional hospitals. 55 MEDICAL COMMITTEE MORE THAN A NETWORKING GROUP The Central Palm Beach County Chamber’s Medical Committee has developed into far more than a networking organization. Made up of physicians and medical professionals, the committee has been operating for three years now. 56 COLLEGES PUT FOCUS ON WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW Local institutions of higher education are partnering with Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce member businesses to create a more educated, highly skilled workforce. 63 EDUCATION COMMITTEE HELPS STUDENTS SUCCEED Eric Gordon is working hard to put into motion the Central Palm Beach County Chamber’s vision of assisting students fulfill their dreams while also helping member businesses find their next generation of workers.
64 AREA OFFERS A WIDE ARRAY OF SHOPPING EXPERIENCES Those of us who live in central Palm Beach County year-round may not realize it, but people travel thousands of miles to shop here due to the wide array of diverse shopping opportunities. 68 HIDDEN CULTURAL GEMS IN CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY It’s hard to beat the entertainment choices here in Palm Beach County. There’s music, dance, theater, visual arts and much more. Yet even if you live here, you might not know of the many hidden cultural gems.
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71 DOZENS OF RESTAURANT CHOICES The Central Palm Beach County Chamber can claim more than 50 diverse restaurants as members. That means plenty of choices when you’re looking to dine out. 72 CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY IS A GOLF LOVER’S DREAM Florida is known as the golf capital of the world because the state features more courses than any other of the United States. And nowhere is that more evident than here in central Palm Beach County.
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76 WELCOME TO THE NATION’S WINTER EQUESTRIAN CAPITAL When it comes to equestrian sports, central Palm Beach County offers plenty of opportunities for horse lovers. From world-class shows to backyard ponies, there is a rich, diverse equestrian culture. 78 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BRINGS JOBS, OPPORTUNITY Central Palm Beach County is thriving with economic development both underway and planned that is not only revitalizing old, beloved projects but also bringing new business and opportunity into the community.
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81 THE 2013 BUYER’S GUIDE Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce members listed by category for easy business-to-business reference. On The Cover Members of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Medical Committee: (L-R) Front row: Dr. Kishore Dass, Dr. Kathleen Minnick, Dr. Jeffery Bishop, Chairman Dr. David Soria, Dr. Harvey Montijo, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and Dr. Edward Becker; back row: Ryan Lewis, Dr. Shekhar Sharma, Bruce White P.T., Dr. Michael Mikolajczak, Jerel Humphrey, Eric Goldman and Dr. Daniel Ghiragossian. Image By Tracey Benson
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Side Image Credits: (Top to bottom) Courtesy Palm Beach County Convention Center; courtesy Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce; Robert Stolpe/Lake Worth Playhouse; Alan Fabricant/Alfab Photography; and Ron Bukley/Town-Crier. Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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W EALTH M ANAGEMENT … it’s about your complete life It’s not simply about portfolio holdings and account balances. It’s about your complete life. You should have a wealth management partner who understands that. Who cares about your personal goals for your family, your business, your future. Who can give you comfort in making decisions that not only support your financial objectives, but that help ensure you have time to do the things you enjoy with those you love.
FOCUS ON LIVING ENJOY YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS MAKE AN IMPACT
A N
I N D E P E N D E N T
F I R M
BENJAMIN G. BOYNTON, CFP® & JOANNA J. BOYNTON, CFP® 12400-B South Shore Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 561.795.9156 Toll-Free 888.795.9156 Fax 561.795.6812 Securities and investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC.
“Celebrating Our 25th Anniversary”
We Know Business... That’s because we talk business...everyday. We know about incorporating, small business record systems, loans and increasing business profits. We also do financial statements and tax returns.
ACCOUNTING • TAXES • FINANCIALS John Paul Spillane, CPA, PA www.jpspillanecpa.com Telephone 561-790-1488 - Fax 561-790-6830 12788 W. Forest Hill Blvd. - Suite 2005 - Wellington, FL 33414 8 |2013| Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide
13901 Southern Blvd. / P.O. Box 1062 Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470 501 Lake Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 790-6200 • Fax: (561) 791-2069 www.cpbchamber.com Dr. Jeffrey Bishop Chairman Jaene Miranda Chief Executive Officer Mary Lou Bedford Vice President of Marketing & Development Faye Ford Finance Manager Anitra Harmon Florida Green Energy & Climate Conference Director Maritza Clark Special Events Director Nadine Burns Special Programs Director Neil Shpritz Director of Economic Development Jessica Clasby Membership Services Director & IT Coordinator Scott Brown Office & Web Administrator Tony Zapata and Todd Soukup Membership Account Representatives Mariela Castillo Community Foundation & Membership Services
PAST CHAMBER CHAIRMEN 1984-1986 - Michael Abate 1987 - Marge Isadore 1988 - Jerry Flanders 1989 - Michael Parenti 1990 - Mark Miles 1991 - Wanda P. Smith 1992 - Dennis Witkowski 1993 - Dr. Jerry Seltzer 1994 - Brenda Montgomery 1995 - David Leland 1996 - Rick Beckman 1997 - John Lacy 1998 - Dinorah Shoben 1999 - Judy Arenz 2000 - Jess R. Santamaria 2001 - Bob Richardson 2002 - Burt Smith 2003 - Heather Rohan 2004 - Michael F. Sexton 2005 - Dorian Zimmer 2006 - Silvia C. Garcia 2007 - Joanna Boynton 2008 - John Spillane 2009 - Kevin DiLallo 2010-2012 - Carmine Priore III
The 2013 Central Palm Beach County Chamber Guide has been published by Wellington The Magazine in association with the Town-Crier newspaper Barry S. Manning Chief Executive Officer Joshua I. Manning Executive Editor Dawn Rivera Publisher Suzanne Summa Graphic Designer Advertising/Production Staff Marcia Abrahams, Betty Buglio, Laurie Chaplin, Jacqueline Corrado, Evie Edwards, Wanda Glockson, Carol Lieberman Editorial/Photography Staff Jason Budjinski, Ron Bukley, Chris Felker, Lauren Miró, Abner Pedraza, Deborah Welky A copy of The 2013 Central Palm Beach County Chamber Guide may be picked up at one of the offices of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce (13901 Southern Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470 or 501 Lake Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460) for free, or by obtaining a relocation package via U.S. Mail. For a package, send a check for $11.72 payable to the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce to the Loxahatchee Groves Office. The 2013 Central Palm Beach County Chamber Guide is published by Wellington The Magazine LLC, with offices at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414, (561) 793-7606, for the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. The publisher and the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and Wellington The Magazine LLC. © 2013 Wellington The Magazine LLC
Opening Letter
A ‘Brand’ New Face
Dear Chamber Member:
The year 2012 was a pivotal one for our chamber. After seven months of working toward the goal of a merger, the Palms West Chamber and the Greater Lake Worth Chamber joined forces to become a new brand of chamber — the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. At the time of the merger, the Palms West Chamber was marking its 29th anniversary, while the Greater Lake Worth Chamber was celebrating 100 years. We all can agree that the business world we operate in today is very different then it was when either of these chambers came into existence. Not only are we facing tough economic challenges, but we are maneuvering through a more diverse, global environment. Businesses that do not choose to change the way they operate will find it a challenge to sustain their economic well-being in the future. Our new organization has been born out of the merger of two like businesses. Our new economies of scale will allow us to invest in the infrastructure that will improve operations, communications and customer service for our members. Our merger will allow our members the opportunity to double their networking and marketing opportunities, while maintaining their original investment. Our new geographic coverage, which includes 15 (or 40 percent) of Palm Beach County’s incorporated municipalities, representing 400,000 residents (nearly one-third of Palm Beach County’s population), will afford the organization greater influence with local, state and national government officials on business and community initiatives that affect the region. In addition to the merger, we have witnessed tremendous growth and unbelievable teamwork in completing some great accomplishments over the last year: record crowds at our signature events, expanded offerings for business networking, the creation of our Business Tune-up Series and the continued development of our multi-city Economic Development Task Force. And we can expect even greater advancements for the organization in the future as we improve value to each and every member while operating a 1,200-strong member organization whose local economic impact will be over $1.5 million. We recognize that the most crucial relationship this chamber fosters is with you, our members and investors. You’re looking for the tools and resources to help your business prosper, and we’re looking for ways to provide them to you. We are constantly working on your behalf, because when your business flourishes, so does the community. The connection between our members, peers, legislators, press and friends is essential. This chamber continues to be the premier business organization in which to develop these professional relationships. So as we look forward to another year of service to our community, we invite you to join us as we continue our metamorphosis toward an even brighter future. Sincerely,
Dr. Jeffrey Bishop Chairman of the Board of Directors Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce
Jaene Miranda Chief Executive Officer Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Central Palm Beach County Chamber Of Commerce guide |2013|
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Member Benefits
WELCOME TO CENTRAL PALM BEACH COUNTY
OUR VISION
Leading the way in connecting businesses and communities.
Welcome to the central Palm Beach County communities — one of the most desirable areas in which to live, work and play. The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce serves these vibrant communities. We invite you to read through this Community Resource Guide & Business Directory to discover the many diverse offerings of our communities and the reasons why businesses want to be a part of our organization.
BENEFITS FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS INCLUDE: NETWORKING gives you the opportunity to meet potential customers and clients, gain new contacts and obtain great leads! People do business with, and refer business to, people they know and trust. The more contacts you make, the more people will think of YOU when they need your product or service! Chamber networking events include monthly membership breakfasts and luncheons, monthly business after-hours gatherings, monthly young professional events and our trustee program.
Jaene Miranda Chief Executive Officer
Mary Lou Bedford VP of Marketing & Development
Nadine Burns Special Programs and Services Manager
Faye Ford Finance Manager
EFFECTIVE MARKETING EXPOSURE means getting your company’s name in front of as many people as possible. When you join the chamber, you will be provided with various cost-effective methods to gain exposure for your company. Promote your business through some of these high-profile exposure opportunities: chamber web site www. cpbchamber.com, Community Resource Guide & Business Directory with thousands of copies distributed annually, Connections newsletter distributed to a combined 60,000 homes and businesses, sponsorship of our special events and weekly e-mail blasts to over 1,800 members and supporters. INVOLVEMENT in one of the chamber’s committees, events or programs means you will be making a strong contribution to the community. The chamber plays a vital role in maintaining central Palm Beach County’s economic success and excellent quality of life. As an active member, you can be contributing to the success of the area.
Jessica Clasby Membership Services & Young Professionals Director
Maritza Clark Special Events Director
Mariela Castillo Community Foundation & Membership Services Coordinator
Neil Shpritz Director of Economic Development
Tony Zapata Membership Account Representative
Scott Brown Legislative Office & Web Administrator
Todd Soukup Membership Account Representative
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VALUE-ADDED PROGRAMS are available to all members including: money-saving member-to-member discounts, informative seminars throughout the year, ribbon-cutting events, business card and brochure distribution, complimentary maps and area guides, and member plaque and window decals to display in your business. ADVOCACY is a key component of the chamber’s involvement in the community. Through WestPac, the chamber is heavily involved in ensuring that our municipal, county and state governments understand the issues and concerns that face you every day. The chamber also places great emphasis on the importance of our children receiving a quality education, and works to ensure this through our scholarship program. Additionally, the chamber supports personal development through programs such as Leadership Central Palm Beach County and the Business Planning Academy. Interested in becoming a member? Call us at (561) 790-6200 or e-mail membership@cpbchamber.com today.
WELLINGTON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
REACHING
NEW HEIGHTS IN HEALTHCARE
When we opened our doors in 1986, Alan B. Miller, Chairman of the Board and CEO at Universal Health Services, Inc., shared his vision for Wellington Regional Medical Center. That the patient would always be at the center of our care and our hospital would one day be at the center of a thriving community. Since then, we have continued to expand to meet the needs of the growing communities we serve. Throughout our journey, the patient experience has remained a top priority. We are elevating this experience to new heights with the opening of our patient pavilion.
Introducing The Alan B. Miller Pavilion … A towering achievement in innovative healthcare design, distinguishing Wellington Regional Medical Center from every other hospital in the region. The new pavilion transforms Wellington Regional Medical Center into a flourishing, 233-bed medical complex. By incorporating the latest breakthroughs in technology, we are increasing staff efficiency, fostering patient engagement, augmenting the healing process and improving the overall patient experience.
Alan B. Miller PAVILION
PAVILION FEATURES: 103,000 Square Feet • 80 All-private Patient Rooms • 2 ICU Step-down Units • Hardwood Floors • Pendant Lighting Spa-like Décor & Finishes • Complimentary Wi-Fi Service • Flat-Screen Televisions • Upgraded Dining Amenities New, Expanded Pharmacy • New Lobby and Registration Areas Thoughtful spaces for family and friends • Sophisticated Technology
Alan B. Miller Learn much more about the Alan B. Miller Pavilion and how we are elevating the patient experience at www.WellingtonRegional.com/patientexperience.
Pavilion
Alan B. Miller PAVIL IO N
We l l i n g t o n R e g i o n a l . c o m Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Wellington Regional Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.
Board of Directors Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce 2012-2013 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairman Dr. Jeffrey Bishop Wellington Regional Medical Center
Vice Chair Education Eric Gordon
Eric M. Gordon Consulting
Chairman-Elect Frank Gonzalez Gonzalez & Shenkman, PL
Vice Chair Facilities Dave Leland PRINT-IT Plus
Board of Directors
2nd Chairman-Elect Joanne Stanley Republic Services
Vice Chair Government Affairs Gina Rascati Residential Appraisal Specialists
Past Chairman Carmine Priore III NextEra Energy Resources
Vice Chair Marketing Rachelle Crain
Treasurer Terri M. Wescott
Legal Counsel Alan Zangen
Accudial Pharmaceutical Inc.
Alan S. Zangen, P.A.
Co-Vice Chair Membership Scott Armand
Co-Vice Chair Membership Claudia Camacho
The Mall at Wellington Green
Armand Professional Services
Secretary Dave Vespo PNC Bank
Vice Chair Economic Development Carol O’Neil
CEO Financial Services
SunTrust Bank – WPB
Vice Chair Technology Dave O’Keefe
Your Computer Guy
2012-2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Thomas Bean Florida Power & Light Company
Silvia Garcia
Evergreen Insurance
Dr. Juan Ortega, P.E. Land Design South
Geoff Sluggett
Geoffrey B. Sluggett & Associates, Inc.
Robert Campion NuVista Living at Wellington Green
Schumacher Family of Dealerships
Sal Delgreco
Jay Ellmyer AFLAC
City of Greenacres
K. Foster Design, Inc.
Eric Goldman
Doug Kingera
Roger Manning
Matty Mattioli
Dr. Harvey Montijo
Dale Pickford
Rob Rabenecker
Betty Resch
Aleida Socarras
Natalie Stolbach
Ron Tomchin
Palms West Hospital
Daniel Perrin
Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens
Selena Smith
Costco Wholesale
Mercantil Bank
Graphic-Signs Inc.
Florida Public Utilities
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Banyan Printing
Chic-Fil-A
Barry’s Jewelry Spa
Sam Ferreri
Village of Royal Palm Beach
Law Office of Betty Resch
RPB Advisors
Kathy Foster
Center for Bone & Joint Surgery of Palm Beaches
Greg Rice
Hulett Environmental Services
Rick Tourville
Tourville-Spencer Insurance & Financial Services
Peter Wein
The WeiNetwork, LLC
The Village of
Royal Palm Beach A Tranquil Community
Main Number ........... 790-5100 Administration ......... 790-5103 Code Enforcement ... 790-5138 Cultural Center .......... 790-5149 Fire-Rescue ................ 790-6105*
Parks & Recreation ... 790-5124 Planning & Zoning ... 790-5131 Police Dept. ................ 904-8250* Public Works ............... 790-5122 Senior Services .......... 792-5503
*For emergencies, dial 911 The Royal Palm Beach Village Council From left to right: Councilman Richard Valuntas, Councilwoman Martha Webster, Mayor Matty Mattioli, Vice Mayor Fred Pinto, Councilman Jeff Hmara
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Trustee Program The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce has created a Trustee Program for community leaders, area businesses and other organizational entities. Its commitment will be the foundation for continued growth as a regional chamber representing the interests of the central communities in Palm Beach County. Fellowship in the Trustee Program enables members to unite in a shared vision for business and community. Senior-level executive participation of the Trustee Program members assures the application of practical, relevant expertise on issues involving public policy, business and community matters.
The Mission of the Trustee Program To create an atmosphere and image of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce service area as a favorable place to live and do business. To provide information and high-visibility events designed for Trustee Program members. To offer a forum for senior level executive networking with Trustee Program members. To identify and assist in the recruitment of business and industry for location or expansion in the central communities of Palm Beach County. To provide ongoing recognition of Trustee Program members as community leaders.
Jay Ellmyer Aflac
Jay Ellmyer is a district sales coordinator for American Family Life Assurance Co. of Columbus (“Aflac”), a Fortune 200 company recognized as the worldwide leader in supplemental health insurance. Aflac programs help families survive financially during a medical event by providing cash to policyholders to use for everyday living expenses, such as mortgage and car payments, groceries, etc. Jay oversees a team of 30 sales associates in Palm Beach County, and is responsible for recruiting, training and fostering broker partnerships. During his tenure with Aflac, He has earned numerous F.A.M.E. (Founders Award for Management Excellence) recognitions, and is a member of the prestigious “Presidents Club.” Jay is a former chairman of both the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce and LakePac. He is president of the Delray Beach Volleyball Association, which is another one of his passions. If you ever need to locate Jay on a weekend, he can be found with his partner, Andre Fladell, on the volleyball courts in south Delray. On a personal note, Jay is married to Ansley McIntrye Ellmyer, a trial attorney for Nationwide Insurance Co. They have two children and reside in western Lake Worth.
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Judith Schumacher Anderson-Moore Construction Corp.
Judith Schumacher, a vice president with Anderson-Moore Construction Corp., has been an integral part of the AndersonMoore Construction management team since 2004. She has more than 15 years of experience with client development, preconstruction services, marketing and communications for general contractors. Schumacher’s experience also includes a background in association management, specific to the construction industry. Locally, she serves as president of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) and is a member of NAIOP, RCA, the Economic Forum, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, the USGBC and numerous other organizations affiliated with the construction industry. Schumacher is also very involved with the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, serving on various committees and supporting the many functions and events hosted by the chamber.
Trustees
Scott Armand Armand Professional Services, Inc.
Maria Antuna Bank of America
Natalie Stolbach Barry’s Jewelry Spa
Scott Armand is president and CEO of Armand Professional Services, Inc. He is responsible for the daily operations of this growing family business. Armand is active in the community, serving in leadership roles with the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, where he serves as vice chairman of membership, and the Rotary Club of Royal Palm Beach, which he serves as president. Armand and his wife, Mary (Mair), are the parents of five children and have three grandchildren. They have resided in the western communities for more than 25 years.
Maria Antuna is the Vice President-Small Business Banker at Bank of America. Antuna has worked in the banking industry for more than 25 years in Palm Beach County and has worked diligently in most aspects of the business. Her passion and years of banking experience provides an asset to the community. Antuna views her trustee membership as an opportunity to grow side-by-side with business leaders, as well as provide involvement in areas needed for the community. Antuna and her husband Juan have lived in Wellington for 25 years.
Natalie Stolbach is an owner/partner of Barry’s Jewelry spa, responsible for day-to-day business, sales, buying and marketing. For more than 33 years, Barry’s Jewelry Spa has offered fast and efficient expert jewelry repair and custom design, as well as a full range of wholesale items, including bridal, gold, diamonds, sterling, alternative metals and fashion jewelry. Barry’s also purchases gold, diamonds and sterling silver. Stolbach is from northern New Jersey and moved to Florida in 1997. Her family had been in the diamond industry for years. Stolbach’s husband, Barry, was a natural in the business, so they followed in the footsteps of great jewelers before them. She is on the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce board of directors and is immediate past chairwoman of the Lake Worth Ambassador Committee and Leadership Lake Worth. “I look forward to the amazing networking opportunities the merger has created and look forward to all the amazing people I will meet and the new businesses I will discover,” she said. Natalie and Barry have been married 31 years and have two adult children, Scott and Danielle. Stolbach enjoys taking cruises in her spare time.
Cristian Lopez BB&T Community Bank
Benjamin G. Boynton Boynton Financial Group Inc.
Michael Pike Burman, Critton, Luttier and Coleman LLP
Cristian Lopez is the assistant vice president and financial center leader at BB&T Community Bank. Lopez, who joined BB&T in June 2006, is the financial center leader for BB&T’s office at 151 S. State Road 7 in Wellington. Her responsibilities include the sales management within the branch, in addition to providing quality leadership while ensuring that clients receive superior client service quality. Lopez was born in Managua, Nicaragua and received her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Univesidad Autonoma Nicaaraguense in Managua.
An Independent Firm / Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC
Benjamin G. Boynton is president of Boynton Financial Group, Inc., and an owner of the Wellington branch office of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. He is a Certified Financial Planner with major responsibilities in financial planning and investment management. Boynton earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in business administration, majoring in finance. He has been an active community leader in a variety of non-profit organizations such as Junior Achievement, Wellington Rotary Club, Hospice of Palm Beach County, the Central Palm Beach County and Wellington chambers of commerce and as a member of the Wellington Regional Medical Center’s Board of Governors. Boynton is also proud to be a member of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County and of his involvement with Leadership Palm Beach County. Ben and his wife, Joanna, reside in Fox Trail with their two children, William and Catherine, a Sheltie named Lassito and their herd of purebred Hereford beef cattle.
Attorney Michael Pike has been with the firm for more than six years, securing numerous verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients in personal injury, wrongful death, bad faith insurance litigation, commercial litigation, sexual battery and assault cases. Pike is a former clerk of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and has also worked for the state attorney’s office. He is admitted to practice in Florida and U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications and J.D. with honors from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. He was president of the law school’s prestigious trial team and coauthored an article titled “Cyber Gossip or Securities Fraud: Some First Amendment Guidance in Drawing the Line.” He is a member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association and the Florida Justice Association and is president of the Palm Beach County Justice Association. Pike has received numerous accolades and awards, including being dubbed “Top Up and Comer” in the South Florida Legal Guide of the South Florida Business Journal, “Legal Elite” by Florida Trend Magazine and a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine.
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Trustees
Nat Roberts Callery-Judge Grove
Nat Roberts is general manager of Callery-Judge Grove, a 4,000-acre orange, tangerine and grapefruit grove located approximately 14 miles west of West Palm Beach. Roberts earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and history from the University of Pennsylvania. He is active in business and community affairs and serves on the boards of the Indian River Citrus League, Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, Palms West Hospital and Dewey Electronics. Nat serves as a trustee of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and is incoming chairman of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County.
Dr. Harvey Montijo Center for Bone & Joint Surgery of the Palm Beaches
Harvey Montijo, M.D. is CEO of The Center for Bone and Joint Surgery of the Palm Beaches. He is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and total hip and knee joint replacement specialist. He has extensive knowledge in the latest surgical techniques and trains surgeons around the world. Montijo is part of the Physicians Leadership Group at Good Samaritan Medical Center and founder of OptimalWellness and Longevity Institute. He is also a member of the American Medical Association, Florida Orthopaedic Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico. As a major in the Army, he completed his surgery internship and orthopaedic surgery service at Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort. Gordon, Ga. Montijo made the dean’s list as a student and was a four-year judo state champion in Puerto Rico and a gold and bronze medal winner at the Judo Central American Games. His research is published in several peerreviewed medical journals. In his leisure time, Montijo enjoys ministry work and being a pastor. He is also involved in medical missionary work; he has volunteered his time as a surgeon in Vietnam and during the Haiti relief efforts.
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Carol O’Neil CEO Financial Services
With 20-plus years in the financial services industry, Carol O’Neil founded CEO Financial Services about five years ago to help people get their “financial house in order” – and keep it that way for the rest of their lives. Her idea was simple: create a comprehensive financial plan for each client and then manage this plan toward each goal. This allows clients more time to concentrate on things they cannot delegate. The business has expanded and now offers far more comprehensive financial services. “After many years in this business, the financial issues have become the easy part; what motivates me now is empowering our clients to make the most intelligent choices with their money, fulfill their aspirations and seeing them experience genuine happiness and security in their lives,” O’Neil said. “This gives us a sense that we are making a difference helping coach people.” She holds degrees in economics and communications from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and is a certified financial divorce analyst. She is pursuing her certified financial planner designation and a master’s in taxation. Carol and her husband, Jim, live in Lake Worth. Most of their free time is spent with their immediate family or involved with the community.
Trustees TRUSTEES
Anna Lee JP Morgan Chase
Anna Lee is vice president and branch manager of the Chase Bank at 1480 Greenview Shores Blvd. in Wellington. Lee worked in the banking industry in New York for 20 years before moving to Wellington and has recently assumed the manager position at Chase. With passion and years of banking experience, Anna is looking forward to continuing her active involvement with her community and providing a great customer service experience at Chase. She said she views her trustee membership as a wonderful opportunity to develop and grow new, trusting relationships with other business leaders. Anna lives in Wellington with her husband, Robert, and her daughter, Jessica.
Private Residence Jupiter Island
Jeff Silkworth Comerica Bank
Jeff Silkworth is a vice president and private banking officer with Comerica Bank Wealth Management in Florida. His background is in commercial lending, private banking and business development. With more than 25 years’ experience in banking, he is a resident of Palm Beach County and has been working in the market for the past 13 years. Silkworth has a proven record in developing new client relationships, strong portfolio management and establishing loyal client relationships. He has developed a specialized expertise in working with medical professionals, entrepreneurs and active investors. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University along with a degree from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. For leisure, Jeff enjoys spending time with his family along with participating in various sporting activities, including golf.
Dan Perrin Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens
Dan Perrin is general manager at Dorsey - E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens Funeral Home in Lake Worth. He graduated from both Eastern Kentucky University and the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science. Perrin was very active in college and continues to be in his professional career – he is a board member and past chairman of the board of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, as well as a trustee for the chamber. He is also a past board member and president of Compass, Inc., past board member of the Kentucky Society of the Palm Beaches, past board member and president of the Florida Funeral Directors Association and a current National Funeral Directors Association Policy Board member for the State of Florida.
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construction management
Palm Beach County 1916 Historic Courthouse West Palm Beach
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▪ general contractor ▪ design-build
“The Max” Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Riviera Beach
AIA PALM BEACH BUILDER OF THE YEAR ▪ 2011 ▪ 2007 ▪ 2001 Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013| 6/29/2012 2:44:54 PM
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Trustees
Keith B. Jackson, P.E. Engenuity Group, Inc.
Silvia C. Garcia Evergreen Insurance Agency
Caroline Villanueva Florida Crystals
Keith B. Jackson is vice president of Engenuity Group, a fullservice civil engineering, surveying and GIS mapping firm in West Palm Beach. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1981 with a civil engineering degree and joined the firm in 1991. He rose to partner status in 1993, then helped reorganize its leadership in 2008 as Engenuity Group. Along with fellow partners Andre Rayman and Lisa Tropepe, Jackson serves as a principal-in-charge of all aspects of the business. He is a career-long member of the Florida Engineering Society, serving as the local chapter president in 1987-88, is a 2002 graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County, attends St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington and participates in numerous other professional and civic organizations. Jackson was reared in Lake Clarke Shores and has resided in Wellington for the past 25 years with his wife, Cynthia, a local trusts and estates attorney and die-hard Seminole fan. As you might guess, Jackson is a die-hard Gator fan. They have two grown children, Brad, attending FSU, and Brooke, attending UF – yes, a house divided. They enjoy boating, the beach, college football and tailgating, travel and being empty nesters.
Silvia C. Garcia is the founder of Insurance For You, which recently merged with Evergreen Insurance Agency. She is a past chairwoman and founding trustee member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber. Her key responsibilities are management, marketing and sales. Garcia is a Cuban native with more than 25 years of insurance industry experience and community efforts. After years as a leading producer for a major carrier, Garcia realized that, to better serve her clients, she needed to represent several insurance companies and offer an array of products. She has been recognized for community contributions, receiving the Central Palm Beach County Chamber ’s “Business of the Year” award in 2008 and serving as the first woman president of the West Palm Beach InterAmerican Businessmen’s Association. She serves on numerous boards, including Leadership Palm Beach County, the Florida Association of Health Underwriters and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Many recognize her as one of The Palm Beach Post’s “Ask A Local” spokeswomen. Garcia resides in Wellington and is the proud mother of Sandra and Suzette and doting grandmother of Katarina and her two “grand-doggies,” Charlie and Precious.
Caroline Villanueva joined Florida Crystals Corp. as project coordinator of real estate in July 2011. Her responsibilities include land planning and policy. Prior to joining Florida Crystals Corp., she was a senior planner at Urban Design Kilday Studios, where she prepared comprehensive plan amendments including for the Florida Crystals inland port in western Palm Beach County. Before that, she was an asset manager for Lennar Homes joint venture projects in St. Lucie County. She was responsible for managing corporate partnerships and entitlements of large property holdings. She began her career at the U.S. Government Accountability Office in Atlanta, where she was responsible for policy analysis of certain federal programs. She received her master’s degree in public policy and management from the Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon University and undergraduate business degree from the University of Miami. Villanueva is the company’s trustee for the Central Palm Beach County Chamber and board member for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County. She is co-chair of the legislative affairs committee at the Hispanic Chamber. She is also a board member of the Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance.
Max Macon Florida Power & Light Company
Dale Butcher Florida Public Utilities
Julie Kime Founding Member
Max Macon is external affairs area manager for Florida Power & Light Company, the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves approximately 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. Macon joined FPL in January 1999 upon graduation from college. He has worked in FPL’s customer service, distribution, and marketing & communication business units during his 14 years with the company. Max holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from University of Florida and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University. He lives in Jupiter with his wife, Kaile.
Dale Butcher is a commercial marketing representative for Florida Public Utilities. He is responsible for sales and service of natural and propane gas to commercial accounts in the northern and western areas of Palm Beach County. In addition to serving as a Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce trustee, Butcher is a certified green professional and enthusiastic chamber advocate and is looking forward to being an active participant in its committees. Dale and his wife, Wanda, are longtime residents of Loxahatchee with their daughters Christina and Andrea.
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Julie Kime was the proud owner of the Allstate office in Wellington for 30 years. She retired and sold the agency to another long-term agent who lives in Wellington, Erica Clark. Kime is a founding member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. In 2009, she was the recipient of the Chamber’s Business of the Year Award, and in 2011, she was honored with the Stiletto Award. Kime is also active in the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches, where she has been recognized with a Leadership Award. She serves on the corporate board of directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, where she has been an active participant and major supporter for many years. For her contributions to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, Kime was recognized and nominated to the prestigious Jeremiah Milbank Society, an elite group of individuals dedicated to serving their local Boys and Girls Clubs. Julie and her husband, John, also an Allstate agent, reside in Palm Beach Gardens.
Trustees TRUSTEES
Benjamin Shenkman Gonzalez & Shenkman, P.L.
Rachel Docekal Hanley Center
Ryan Lewis Health Care REIT
Benjamin Shenkman has practiced law in Palm Beach County for more than 17 years, focusing his practice in the areas of estate planning and administration. He is a frequent lecturer on estate planning topics, and has appeared in the media on topics related to estate planning, including several appearances on the public television program, “Wealth & Wisdom.” He has also appeared as a guest on local radio shows and is a former contributor to the Palm Beach Post column “The Law and You.” Shenkman holds a bachelor of arts degree from Temple University; a Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami; and a master of laws degree in estate planning from the University of Miami School of Law. He is admitted to practice in Florida. Shenkman is a member in good standing of The Florida Bar and the Bar’s Tax Law Section and Real Property, Probate and Trust Law
Rachel Docekal is chief executive officer of the Hanley Center Foundation, the non-profit entity designed to support the center’s addiction research, education and treatment programs, as well as capital improvements to the center’s main campus in West Palm Beach and its 28-day residential facility in Vero Beach. In this role, she is responsible for board and donor relations, fundraising events and creating fund development strategies. As the prevalence of addiction increases around the nation, especially among teens and older adults, Docekal is committed to creating programs to support Hanley’s Lifesaver Scholarship Fund. The Lifesaver Scholarship Fund helps to finance treatment for those individuals and families who could otherwise not afford it on their own due to limited financial situations. Docekal has master’s of business administration and doctor of education degrees.
Ryan Lewis serves as the Regional Leasing Director for the Management Services Group of Health Care REIT Inc. (NYSE: HCN). He is responsible for overseeing the leasing activities of a portfolio of over 1,000,000 square feet of the company’s medical office space. In Palm Beach and Broward counties, Health Care REIT Inc. owns and manages 20 medical office buildings on or near hospital campuses, including both Wellington Regional Medical Center and Palms West Hospital. Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from BaldwinWallace University in Ohio. While at Baldwin-Wallace, Lewis was a member of the university’s football team, earning AllAmerican honors during his senior campaign. Relatively new to South Florida, he relocated from Ohio in 2009 and currently resides in North Palm Beach.
Eddie Jackson HSBC Bank
Miguel Muniz Iberia Bank
John A. Wash International Polo Club Palm Beach
Eddie K. Jackson II is manager of the HSBC Premier Financial Centers in Wellington and west Boca Raton. He joined HSBC in 2008 as vice president and Premier Market Leader for Florida. He has diligently worked in all aspects of the financial services industry for 25 years, including investment management, branch management, small business banking, private banking and regional management, and is a member of the HSBC Leadership Club. Jackson is originally from Jacksonville and moved to South Florida with his family in 1986. He is a graduate of FSU with a bachelor’s degree in economics. Jackson has been involved with numerous community organizations, including as a board member of Gulfstream Goodwill and former board member of the United Way of Palm Beach County, former Campaign Cabinet Coordinator for Financial Institutions and as a volunteer basketball and baseball coach. Jackson has also proudly volunteered for “Rebuilding Together” in Broward County, which brings volunteers together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. He enjoys working with children, fishing, boating, traveling and auto racing. He lives in Boca Raton with his wife, Lorri, and children Nicole and Eddie III.
Miguel Muniz currently holds the position of Mortgage Branch Manager for Palm Beach County. He has been originating residential home loans since 1996. Originally from the Catskill Mountains of New York, Muniz has called Palm Beach County home since 1995. With the Iberiabank Mortgage Team, Muniz originates and processes loans locally. The operations office is located at 119 S. State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach. Muniz and his team can assist borrowers who are looking to purchase or refinance both primary and investment properties utilizing FHA, conventional and jumbo products.
John Wash is president of operations for both the International Polo Club and the Wanderers Golf Club in Wellington. He came to Florida after serving as president of operations at Bentwater Yacht & Country Club, the only private, gated, waterfront community in Texas with 54 holes of championship golf, a country club, yacht club and marina, a racquet club, fitness center, day spa, pro shops and two private islands. Before arriving in Wellington, Wash helped develop and open the Golf Club of Purchase, in Westchester N.Y., designed by Jack Nicklaus. Prior to that, he directed the Atlanta-based Country Club of the South, developed as a 900-home residential resort club by Bob Sierra and Jack Nicklaus. Wash was raised in New York and is a graduate of Hyde Park’s famed Culinary Institute of America. He is currently directing the complexities of two clubs on separate sites: on one hand, the world-renowned International Polo Club, host of the top polo tournaments in North America and attracting players from all over the world; on the other hand, the Wanderers Golf Club in Wellington, a friendly, top-flight membership club offering golf, tennis, swimming and a fitness center. Considered a specialist in the hospitality field, Wash is active in multiple community, civic and charitable associations. John and wife Toy are Florida residents.
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Trustees
Keith Jordano Jordano Insurance Group
John Spillane J.P. Spillane CPA, P.A.
Mickey Smith Lesser Lesser Landy & Smith PLLC
Keith Jordano, president and CEO of Jordano Insurance Group, has provided Florida businesses and families with comprehensive insurance services for almost two decades. Founded on the principles of customer service, satisfaction, professionalism and long-term relationships, Jordano Insurance Group’s slogan is “For All Your Insurance Needs and First in Service.” Jordano’s expertise in all types of industries and products allow him to create customized solutions unique to each client. Jordano Insurance Group is also the local district of Colonial Life, the oldest and highest-rated voluntary product provider by Benefit Selling Magazine. Due to his concern for clients and the overall health of the industry, Jordano has spent the past decade lobbying for healthcare reform. He believes that coverage should be available and affordable for all, but not at any cost. Jordano is vice president of the Palm Coast Association of Health Underwriters, past president of Royal Palm Beach Rotary, past executive board member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, as well as past small business of the year and member of the year. He believes in being involved in the community to make it a better place to live and raise a family.
John Spillane is the founder and managing principal of this Wellington-based accounting, tax, financial and business consulting practice. The firm is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2013, and is comprised of experienced accountants who provide real value and exceptional personal care and service to its many clients over its many years. Spillane is a member of both the American and Florida Institute of CPAs. He also has been an active member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber for more than 20 years, serving as chairman and treasurer for many of those years. John also belongs to the local Rotary Club and is the current treasurer of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church. Spillane also is also an officer and director on several local boards. John and his wife, Linda, have lived in the local area for many years, and have two daughters and three grandchildren. They enjoy traveling and spend a lot of time at their second home in Asheville, N.C.
Mickey Smith received his law degree from Duke University School of Law and has practiced in Florida for more than 25 years. He is board-certified and recertified as a specialist in civil trial law by both The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Smith’s practice is limited to representing individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injury, wrongful death or have been victimized by the bad-faith practices of an insurance company. For many years he represented the interests of insurance companies, but for more than a decade now, he has exclusively represented ordinary people with valid claims. His efforts have been repeatedly recognized by his peers. Smith has been elected to The Best Lawyers in America (personal injury and insurance law); The Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff’s Lawyers in America; Florida Super Lawyers; Florida Legal Elite; Florida’s Top Lawyers; and the American Board of Trial Advocates (past president of Palm Beach chapter and current executive committee member). He has lived in the western communities for more than 20 years with his wife, Elizabeth, a public school teacher. He realizes that being a good lawyer involves not only knowledge but also being responsive to clients.
Marc Phillipe Strich The Mall at Wellington Green
Howard Coates McDonald Hopkins LLC
Doug Kingera Mercantil Commercebank
Marc Philippe Strich is the general manager of the Mall at Wellington Green. In this role, he oversees the daily operations of this premier, year-round shopping destination. Additionally, he serves as center operations resource for Taubman Asia in Korea and China, and is assisting Taubman with the Mall of San Juan opening in Puerto Rico next year. The multilingual Strich attended the International School for the French Language in Dijon, France as well as the Colegio Ponceno de Varones in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Strich and his wife, Christine, have relocated from the Chicago area, where he was the general manager at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois. They enjoy power boating, motorcycling and walking the community with their golden retriever.
Howard K. Coates Jr. has been practicing law in Palm Beach County for more than 20 years and has extensive experience representing clients in complex litigation matters. Coates has tried cases in state and federal courts throughout Florida and other jurisdictions. He was a shareholder of the Coates Law Firm before joining McDonald Hopkins, where he continues to represent clients on regulatory and liability issues. Coates also has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution and participates actively in this trend toward mediated and nonjudicial resolutions. His activity in this specialty is evidenced by the fact that he has mediated more than 100 cases and arbitrated matters in numerous resolution forums, including the American Arbitration Association and the New York Stock Exchange. Coates is committed to his profession and the community. The Yale Law School graduate sits on a variety of major nonprofit community organization boards of directors, was a founding member of the Palms West Estate Planning Council and serves as an elected member of the Wellington Village Council.
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Douglas M. Kingera is vice president, sales and service manager for the domestic personal and commercial divisions of Mercantil Commercebank. He oversees Palm Beach County in all aspects of retail and commercial lending as well as the day-to-day operations of the Lantana West Banking Center. Kingera has more than 14 years of banking experience, specializing in lending and credit activities. He has held positions in corporate banking, real estate, business banking and retail banking. He is an avid golfer as well as an all-around water lover, and often goes boating, fishing, etc. Active in community endeavors, Kingera serves as a board member and trustee for the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. He is also quite active in various non-profit organizations, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the United Way and Pets for Vets. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business and finance from Ohio State University.
Trustees TRUSTEES
Marcus Nisbett Ncognito
Carmine Priore III NextEra Energy Resources
Robert Campion NuVista Living at Wellington Green
Marcus Nisbett is the president and founder of Ncognito “The Unique Brand of Fitness,” a facility combining fitness, massage and nutrition services. Opened in 2007, Ncognito’s programs encompass everything an individual needs in order to achieve balance in his or her physical being. A certified personal trainer for 16 years, he advanced his knowledge in bodywork by studying massage therapy at the Swedish Institute in New York City. After graduating in 2005, he moved from Manhattan to Wellington with his wife and their three children. Nisbett has developed his own system of specific exercises, dynamic flexibility and touch therapy techniques designed to help individuals achieve optimal fitness. The Nisbett Protocol improves functional strength, neuromuscular efficiency and overall flexibility and can be prescribed for both proactive and corrective exercise clients. Ncognito’s staff of massage therapists, personal trainers and registered dietitians work tirelessly to meet the needs of many of the western communities’ professionals, doctors, equestrians and domestic engineers.
Carmine Priore III is vice president of wind operations and management for NextEra Energy Resources, where he is accountable for wind energy sites and production in the United States and Canada. Previously, he was the vice president of thermal, hydro and solar operations. Priore has also served as regional plant general manager for the startup and initial operations of the West County Energy Center. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Florida in 1989. He is a registered professional engineer and obtained a combined master’s degree in industrial engineering and business administration from the University of South Florida. Priore is past chairman of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and the Wellington Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board. He serves on the Palm Beach Central High School Academy Advisory Board and is also chairman of the Palm Beach County Regional Economic Development Task Force. He and his wife, Terri, have volunteered their efforts to the Renaissance Learning Center, School for Autism and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and have co-chaired two events for the Diabetes Research Institute. Priore lives in Wellington with his wife and three children.
Robert Campion is new to South Florida in 2011. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and received a master’s degree in physical therapy from Emory University. He has worked as a physical therapist and district manager in California and Wisconsin for Aegis Therapies for 10-plus years. Campion held the position of executive director for a Golden Living Rehabilitation Center for eight years, before taking the position of chief executive officer of NuVista Living at Wellington Green in March 2011. Robert is married with two children, ages 17 and 5.
Patrick J. Rooney Palm Beach Kennel Club
Dennis P. Gallon, Ph.D. Palm Beach State College
Eric Goldman Palms West Hospital
Patrick J. Rooney Jr. is president of the Palm Beach Kennel Club and managing director/president for Rooney’s Public House and Rooney’s All In Sports Bar and Grille. He graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor of arts in political science, went on to Villanova University School of Law for his Juris Doctor and then earned his master’s of business administration from Lehigh University. Rooney serves as a director for the Autism Project of Palm Beach County. He has served on the South Florida Water Management District board and as director/co-chair for Rooney’s Golf Foundation Inc., and was vice president of Renaissance Learning Academy. Other past community positions include former director and board president of Home Safe of Palm Beach County; director and board president of the Florida Atlantic University Honors College; and president of the Palm Beach County Golf Association. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Florida Bar, the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, the Republican Party of Palm Beach County, Leadership Palm Beach County and the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. Rooney represents Florida House District 85, which includes much of northern Palm Beach County.
Dennis P. Gallon became the fifth president of Palm Beach State College (then Palm Beach Community College) in 1997. Before that, he served as president of the Kent Campus at Florida Community College in Jacksonville. Gallon had a long and successful career in the secondary and postsecondary levels of education. After serving as a tenured faculty member at FCCJ, his administrative career there included campus business manager, campus dean of occupational, adult and continuing education, campus dean of instructions, and college-wide associate vice president of academic programs. He also served as an adjunct professor in the doctoral program in higher education administration at the University of Florida. Gallon completed the requirements for the Ph.D. in higher education at UF. He received his master’s degree in business from Indiana University and his bachelor’s in business from Edward Waters College in Jacksonville. His professional involvement includes serving on the American Association of Community Colleges Presidents’ Roundtable, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges, board member and past president of the Florida Association of Colleges and Universities, Leadership Florida and the University of Florida Alumni Board, and he’s served as a Fulbright Scholar in Israel through the Fulbright Senior Specialist Program.
Eric Goldman comes to Palms West from Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, an affiliate HCA facility, where he was the chief operating officer since 2006. Eric has 17 years of healthcare experience with HCA. Prior to moving to Jacksonville, Goldman was chief operating officer at Columbia Hospital in West Palm Beach. He received his bachelor’s degree at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and a master’s of health science in health finance management at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Being involved in the community is important to Goldman. He most recently served as chairman of the University of North Florida Healthcare Administration Program and is on the board of directors for The Blood Alliance, Blood Bank and Martin J. Gottlieb Day School. He was also an inaugural participant in United Way’s Stein Fellowship Program.
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Trustees
Mason Phelps Jr. Phelps Media Group International
Dave Vespo PNC Bank
Kimberly Leland PRINT-IT Plus
Mason Phelps Jr. is a lifelong horseman who has participated in many aspects of the equestrian world, including as a rider/ trainer, event manager, governance leader, charity organizer and multi-media executive. Phelps was a rider and trainer in his early years, competing in eventing and the hunter/jumper ranks, where he earned national and international recognition as an equestrian athlete. Phelps was named as alternate to the U.S. Three Day Equestrian Team in the 1968 Olympics and, the same year, was named as the U.S. Combined Training Association’s Rider of the Year. He began to expand his role and became involved in the production and management of many competitive equestrian events around the U.S. During the 1970s, Phelps developed his own training stable for hunters and jumpers, working with riders on both coasts of the U.S. until his retirement from competition in the late 1990s. But he became increasingly involved in the governance aspect of the industry and in organizing many charity events. Phelps is chairman of the National Horse Show and owns Phelps Media Group International, an equestrian public relations and media firm based in Wellington. In 2006, he founded PhelpsSports.com, an equestrian news website.
Dave Vespo proudly serves as PNC Bank’s Central Palm Beach County Chamber trustee. He has spent 14 years as branch manager for PNC Bank in the downtown Lake Worth office while also holding various positions within the community. Over the past 14 years, Vespo has held positions of both treasurer and president for the Lake Worth Playhouse and for the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce. He served as Lake Worth’s city commissioner for District 4, as well as a voting member of the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency. He was born in Indianapolis and is a graduate of Indiana University, holding a bachelor’s degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Dave is a veteran of the U.S. Army Tank Corps, where he served as a crew member on the M1A1 Abrams tank.
Kimberly H. Leland is co-owner of PRINT-IT Plus, a long-established printing firm based in Royal Palm Beach. She has been an active member of the chamber for 24 years and served on the marketing committee during the chamber’s critical branding and merger transition period. Leland is the art director and oversees her firm’s marketing. She is also the in-house information technology person. Leland is married to her business partner, David T. Leland, who is a past president and current vice president of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, they have devoted much time and effort to youth sports, high school debate and Central Palm Beach County Chamber events, including the Holiday Parade and Royal Palm Beach Art and Music Festival. The Lelands live in the western communities and have two adult daughters, one employed by E.J. Gallo Winery in Modesto, Calif., and attending the University of Berkeley Haas School of Business, the other a practicing attorney at Sedgwick, LLP in Fort Lauderdale; and an adult son who is a student attending the University of Central Florida for biomedical sciences.
David Unversaw Republic Services
Jess Santamaria Royal Inn Resort Hotel
Larry Tabloff Royal Palm Mazda
David A. Unversaw has been a general manager with Republic Services, Inc., for more than 13 years. Following assignments in Fort Lauderdale and Vero Beach, he assumed the role of general manager in Palm Beach more than eight years ago. His area of management responsibility covers from Palm Beach to Brevard County and includes hauling and landfill operations in Indian River and St. Lucie counties. Unversaw works out of a LEED-certified building in West Palm Beach. He was the project manager during its construction in 2010. A South Florida native, he graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and received his master’s of business administration from Eastern Kentucky University. Unversaw is a certified public accountant but is currently on inactive status. He is very active in the community as well – a past president of Keep Indian River Beautiful, current vice chairman of the Lord’s Place and president of the Wellington Rotary Club. David and his wife, Brooke, are the proud parents of Alexander, Liliana and Nathaniel.
Jess R. Santamaria arrived in the western communities in 1974 and since then has been involved in countless civic and business activities, too numerous to include in this biographical sketch. Among his accomplishments is performance as builder/developer of about 3,000 homes and nine commercial projects, some of which he currently owns and manages with his lawyer son, Chris. Santamaria has a chemical engineering degree and a master’s of business administration from the prestigious Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a founding member and 2000 president of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber, where he also served as chairman of the Chairman’s Club. Santamaria has received numerous “Man of the Year” and “Hall of Fame” awards from many Palm Beach County organizations, and he has been honored as “outstanding citizen” by both the villages of Royal Palm Beach and Wellington. In 2006, Santamaria was elected Palm Beach County commissioner for District 6, which includes the western communities. He has been married to his wife, Victoria, for 44 years, and the couple has three children (two lawyers and a computer specialist) and three grandchildren.
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Larry Tabloff is the general manager of Royal Palm Mazda located on Southern Blvd., just west of the South Florida Fairgrounds, a division of Penske Automotive Group. Royal Palm Mazda is a top 25 store in the nation and the No. 1 certified Mazda store in the southeast. Royal Palm Mazda is the No. 1 rated Mazda store in all of Florida according to DealerRater. com. Google Reviews rates Royal Palm Mazda with a 5 star rating, the highest available. Tabloff and his team pride themselves on consistently beating every customer’s satisfaction in both sales and service, which is why they keep coming back to Royal Palm Mazda for their car buying and service needs. Tabloff believes in giving back to the community, so with each sale he gives a charitable donation to either Little Smiles of Florida or the Justin Bartlett Foundation Pet Rescue, with the choice made by the customer. Tabloff and his wife, Karen, have lived in Palm Beach Gardens since 2001. They have two children, Xander and Hunter.
Trustees
Sal DelGreco Schumacher Family of Dealerships
Scott Bedford Signs by Tomorrow
Richard Vymlatil South Florida Fair & PBC Expositions
Sal Delgreco is executive manager at Infiniti of the Palm Beaches, a member of the Schumacher Family of Dealerships. Infiniti of the Palm Beaches is located at 3101 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. Delgreco has been with the Schumacher Auto Group for 12 years. The Schumacher Family of Dealerships also includes Buick, GMC, Chevrolet, Subaru, Volkswagen and Mitsubishi . The employees of Schumacher strive to offer superior automotive sales and service to carry out their mission statement: To Serve Customers For Life. Sal and his wife, Michelle, have lived in Wellington since 2003. They have two children – Arianna and Giovanni. A transplant from the Boston area, Delgreco’s allegiance to sports teams still lies up north, but he doesn’t miss the winters. In his spare time, he enjoys boating and being out in the South Florida sun.
Scott Bedford is owner and president of Signs by Tomorrow, a full-service sign company serving Palm Beach County since 1997. The company provides state-of-the-art custom signs, digital printing of custom graphics, vehicle wraps, and interior and exterior signs for business, retail, real estate, office buildings, medical facilities and hospitality. Bedford believes in giving back to the region, and Signs by Tomorrow has supported many local charitable organizations and recreational sports teams. He lives in Wellington with his wife, Mary Lou, and their two daughters, Hilary and Amy.
Rick Vymlatil is president and chief executive officer of South Florida Fair and Palm Beach County Expositions Inc. He is charged with overall responsibilities of the South Florida Fair and the year-round operations of the South Florida Fairgrounds, where he leads a 40-person full-time staff. Vymlatil holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Wilmington College. He is active in industry-related organizations, and is past president and current legislative chairman for the Florida Federation of Fairs. A past chairman of the Florida Festival and Events Association and an active member of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, Vymlatil is also active in the Historical/Centennial Committee for Palm Beach County and is a longtime member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife, Denise, are the parents of two adult children.
Dr. Brad Glick South Florida Skin & Laser Center
Barbara Miedema Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida
Angela Mattingly TD Bank
Dr. Brad P. Glick is a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Margate and Wellington. He graduated from Emory University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and received his master’s from Emory University School of Public Health. He earned his medical osteopathic degree at Nova Southeastern. His internship in internal medicine was performed at Humana South Broward Hospital, and his residency in family medicine was performed at Wellington Regional Medical Center and the Palm Beach County Public Health Unit. His dermatology residency was performed at the Greater Miami Skin and Laser Center at Mount Sinai Medical and focused on dermatologic, Mohs micrographic and laser surgery. He held staff positions at the UF College of Medicine, Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine, Northwest Medical Center, Coral Springs Medical Center and Mount Sinai Medical Center. He is director of dermatology residency training at Wellington Regional. He is a guest lecturer for the Abbott, Amgen, Stiefel, Medicis and Merz Pharmaceutical speakers bureaus and has received numerous honors during his career. He is the current president of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, president of the Foundation for Osteopathic Dermatology and past president of the Broward County Dermatologic Society.
Barbara Miedema is vice president of public affairs and communications at the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. The cooperative, based in Belle Glade, is made up of 46 small and medium-sized sugarcane farms located in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Miedema is responsible for coordinating all internal and external communications for the cooperative. She served on Gov. Rick Scott’s 2010 Transition Team for Regulatory Reform that provided input on how to streamline regulations that hinder job creation in Florida. She is a charter member of the South Florida Water Management District’s Water Resource Advisory Commission, which provides recommendations to the governing board on regional water policy issues. Miedema serves as the point person on all water resource issues for the cooperative, including water quality and supply challenges, Lake Okeechobee management and support of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. She is a graduate of the University of Florida’s Leadership for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Leadership Palm Beach County and Leadership Glades programs. Miedema earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. She is an accredited public relations professional through the Florida Public Relations Association who has received 15 statewide awards of recognition for her work.
Angela Mattingly is the vice president and commercial lending relationship manager for TD Bank, “America’s Most Convenient Bank.” Mattingly has been in the financial industry for 18 years, with experience in business banking, private banking and retail banking. She assists TD offices in Palm Beach County in business development, business banking and commercial lending, consumer lending and mortgage lending. She is very involved in the community as well as serving on the board for Place of Hope. Angela is a native Floridian and resides in Royal Palm Beach with her husband, Pierre Rodriguez, and two boys, Kyle and Kasey.
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Trustees
Ellen Sanita The Palm Beach Post
Judy Clayton Sanchez U.S. Sugar Corporation
TRUSTEES
Ellen Smith Waste Management
Ellen Sanita is the inside sales and lead generation manager for The Palm Beach Post. Her responsibilities include managing client specialists, lead generation representatives, recruitment reps and commercial classified sales reps. The goal of each of these teams is to provide the best solutions for their clients based on their needs via print and online advertising, web site design, mobile applications, social media and more. Sanita earned her bachelor’s degree in business education from Rider University in New Jersey. She was an officer and member of the executive board for the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, where she served as secretary for six years. She and her family pitch in and “love working at community events,” where she represents both the Central Palm Beach County Chamber and The Post. Ellen and her husband, Mark, are residents of Wellington, where they live with their two sons, Jordan and Dylan.
Judy Clayton Sanchez is the senior director of corporate communications and public affairs for United States Sugar Corp. She joined U.S. Sugar in 1994, transferring from its South Bay Growers vegetable operations. She is responsible for U.S. Sugar’s media and public relations activities and its public education/ information programs, and coordinates all external and internal communications functions, acts as corporate spokeswoman and assists with the company’s public affairs efforts. Sanchez has a bachelor’s degree in communications and attended the University of Florida and Florida Atlantic University. She serves on the board of directors for the Agriculture Institute of Florida, Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau, Sustainable Florida and the Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance of Palm Beach County. Sanchez serves on the Public Education Advisory Committee for the Sugar Association and the steering committee of the Lake Okeechobee Regional Initiative, Collins Center. She also served on the SFWMD’s Water Resources and Advisory Council and its Lake Okeechobee subcommittee. Sanchez and her husband, Julio, live in Belle Glade and have two grown sons. She is a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Ellen C. Smith is the government and community affairs manager for Waste Management Inc. of Florida, responsible for Palm Beach County affairs. Waste Management is the largest provider of comprehensive waste and environmental services in North America, as well as North America’s largest municipal waste recycler and a leader in waste-based energy technologies. Waste Management is the only waste services company in the Fortune 500 and has been named to Ethisphere’s 2012 World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fifth consecutive year. Smith is a Palm Beach County native. She graduated from Stetson University with a degree in political science and the University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Policy with a master’s degree in public affairs. She has worked at the regional, state and local levels of government and also has 20 years of private-sector lobbying experience, guiding clients through complex governmental issues. Ellen lives in Juno Isles with her two children, Isaac, 15 and Alexis, 13.
Al Young Wayne Akers Ford
Noreen O’Sullivan Wellington Classic Dressage
Mark J. Bellissimo Wellington Equestrian Partners, LLC
Al Young is the dealer/operating partner of Wayne Akers Ford, one of the largest Ford dealers in Palm Beach County, South Florida and the nation. He is chairman of the South Florida Ford Dealers and has served on their board as a member in the past. He has sat on many national dealer committees representing Ford and the South Florida Ford Dealers. Young has also sat on the board of the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce and was involved in many of its sponsored events prior to the merger that produced the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. He has been a resident of Florida since 1981, moving here from Ohio where he attended Youngstown State University, and has been involved in the automotive industry since arriving in Florida. Young is also a supporter of the Lake Worth Dollars for Scholars program benefiting students at Lake Worth High School, the Komen Race for the Cure and many other civic groups in the area. He and his wife, Rose, have two children, Payton and Aly, and reside in the western Lake Worth area.
Noreen O’Sullivan is one of the driving forces behind dressage in Palm Beach County. A member of the AIDEO, an international organization for dressage show organizers, an active member of the United States Equestrian Federation and a member and Board of Governors representative for the United States Dressage Federation, O’Sullivan is also show manager and managing partner of for what has become Florida’s biggest and most popular dressage series. A longtime member of the Gold Coast Dressage Association, and GCDA president since 2002, O’Sullivan helped launch GCDA’s first international CDI competition. Noreen is also show manager and managing partner for Wellington Classic Dressage and the International Horse Sport Palm Beach Show Series. Her experience as both a competitor and show manager allows her to understand the needs of both riders and horses as well as show management. O’Sullivan and her team, including husband and managing partner John Flanagan, oversee and manage six CDIs including those for Gold Coast Dressage, Wellington Classic Dressage, the Palm Beach Dressage Derby and International Horse Sport Palm Beach Champions Cup. O’Sullivan is working hard to support the growth of dressage in America. West Palm Beach, she believes, is the prime location for growing the sport of dressage.
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Mark J. Bellissimo is managing partner of Wellington Equestrian Partners LLC. As such, he is responsible for all operations of the partnership, including Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, which owns and manages the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. More than $10 million has been invested in upgrading PBIEC to become the leading facility for jumper, hunter and dressage competition in the United States and one of the premier horse shows in the world. Bellissimo received his bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and his master’s degree in business administration from the Harvard Business School. Bellissimo is active in a variety of local, national and international charities and is especially involved with Partners in Health and Little Smiles. He and his wife, Katherine, have four children: Matthew, Paige, Nicole and Michael.
Trustees
Dr. Jeffrey Bishop Wellington Regional Medical Center
Jeffrey Bishop has been chief medical officer at Wellington Regional Medical Center since 2007. He oversees the quality of care and the efficacy of clinical interventions that enhance the facility’s position and provides leadership and direction in the formation of overall medical policy. Bishop has been involved in the intern/residency programs for 24 years. He is director of medical education and presently oversees the training of 18 internal medicine residents and six dermatology residents. The former owner at Western Communities Family Practice, one of the largest primary care operations of its time, Bishop is a well-known, highly respected family physician. He has served patients with compassion for more than two decades. Bishop is board-certified in family medicine and earned his degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to medical school, he spent 10 years in the U.S. Navy and earned his undergraduate degree in medicine from the University of Nebraska. Bishop has held various leadership positions at WRMC, including vice chief and chief of staff. He has been a member of the board of governors since 1986 and served as chairman. He and wife Charlene are residents of Royal Palm Beach and have two sons and two daughters.
Eddy Rodriguez Wells Fargo Bank
Eddy L. Rodriguez is Vice President Senior Business Relationship Manager and Agriculture Specialist for Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. He manages the South Florida agriculture portfolio, which includes Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, as well as commercial business accounts in Palm Beach County. Rodriguez earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and financing as well as his MBA with a finance concentration from Palm Beach Atlantic University. He has over 14 years of experience in banking and agriculture financing and has been an active member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce since 2005. Rodriguez is a Palm Beach County native and resides in Wellington with his wife Lisa and their two children, Eduardo and Zoë.
Luann Canham WellWave of Florida
A partner in WellWave of Florida, Luann Canham is the first Florida distributor to introduce acoustic compression therapy to the U.S. Advanced Technology WellWave delivers non-invasive therapy in a handheld device, with unparalleled control over energy delivery, treatment depth and treatment location, providing relief of acute and/or advanced musculoskeletal pain or injury. ACT, as it is known, localizes trigger points, delivering highly focused, accurate and immediate results. This drug-free approach is changing the face of therapy. Canham brings experience and energy from more than 34 years of business ownership, management and consulting expertise. Among numerous professional affiliations, she is the recently retired president and managing partner of the KCM Insurance Group in Ohio; past board member of the Sylvania, Ohio, Chamber of Commerce; and a retired member of the Toledo Chamber of Commerce. Volunteering has been her way to return rewards to her town. She is delighted to be a part of such a vibrant area. Giving back and working together only strengthens the base of our communities. She looks forward to new opportunities and can be reached through www.FloridaWellWave.com.
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Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Chamber Awards Business of the Year Awards
Each year, the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce awards members the Business of the Year Awards. One award is given to businesses that have gross sales less than $2 million and the second award is given to businesses that have gross sales of more than $2 million. To qualify, nominees must possess at least the following qualifications: They must be a Central Palm Beach County Chamber member in good standing; they must have demonstrated its commitment to the community and to the Central Palm Beach County Chamber; and they must maintain a presence in the Central Palm Beach County service area. NOMINEES — The 2012 Nominees with Gross Sales Under $2,000,000 were: Alan Gerwig & Associates Inc., Froehlich & De La Rua CPA Firm, Daher Capital Group, College Planning Masters Inc., Joey’s Outback Adventures, JP Spillane CPA P.A., Johnson’s Custom Cakes and More, KPA Promotions, RPB Advisors, Quigley Marketing Group, Sanda Gané European Day Spa, the WEINetwork and Webtractive. The 2012 Nominees with Gross Sales Over $2,000,000 were: Banyan Printing, the Center for Bone & Joint Surgery of the Palm Beaches, Emergency Specialists of Wellington, Expicare Nursing Agency Inc., Independent Imaging, Lifetime Exteriors Inc., NuVista Living at Wellington Green, Phelps Media Group and PGA National Resort & Spa. WINNERS (UNDER $2 MILLION) — The Central Palm Beach County Chamber’s 2012 Business of the Year Award winners for a business with gross sales less than $2 million, were Quigley Marketing Group (left) and KPA Promotions (right).
WINNERS (OVER $2 MILLION) — The Central Palm Beach County Chamber’s 2012 Business of the Year Award winners for a business with gross sales of over $2 million were the Center for Bone & Joint Surgery of the Palm Beaches (top right) and Banyan Printing (bottom right).
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WINNER (CORPORATE MEMBER) — The selection committee also determined that a new category needed to be added. That category has been created to recognize a National Corporate Member. The 2012 National Corporate Member Business of the Year was Republic Services of the Palm Beaches (above).
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The Ambassadors are an integral part of the chamber’s volunteer base. The chamber relies heavily on the ambassadors to support its efforts with the local business community. This year, the chamber selected two representatives who have demonstrated leadership and who have consistently supported chamber functions throughout the year. The chamber honored Natalie Stolbach of Barry’s Jewelry Spa and Jennifer Fortin of Nexxen Technologies. Stolbach and Fortin are shown above with Chamber Chairman Dr. Jeffrey Bishop and Mary Lou Bedford.
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Each year, the outgoing chamber chairman selects a Chairman’s Choice Award winner. Carmine Priore III, outgoing chairman, chose Frank Gonzalez of the Gonzalez & Shenkman Law Firm as the winner of the 2012 Chairman’s Choice Award. Shown above is Gonzalez (center) with Chamber CEO Jaene Miranda and Chamber Chairman Dr. Jeffrey Bishop.
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Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Chamber Events
Chamber Events
Central Palm Beach County Chamber Offers A Wide Array Of Special Events
Every Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce event offers your company the opportunity to gain exposure through sponsorship. Take your pick of events to support, whether it is a monthly luncheon or an annual event. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, call (561) 790-6200. Leadership Central Palm Beach • January — Leadership Central Palm Beach is the chamber’s leadership program, which has served as an integral part of the development of business, community and governmental leaders. The five-session interactive course kicks off with a cocktail reception for new candidates and alumni. The program runs January through May. Lake Worth Street Painting Festival • February — This two-day festival brings the streets of downtown City of Lake Worth to life. Watch as over 600 artists use the pavement as canvas to transform it into a temporary outdoor museum. Continuous live music and children’s activities are also featured. Free to the public. Royal Palm Beach Art & Music Festival • March — This three-day festival closes down one of the area’s major roadways to present a multicultural weekend of music and art. Showcasing young and local talent is a critical component. Other festival activities include fireworks, kayak races, bounce houses, carnival rides, food vendors, business expos and street performers. Free to the public. Reggae Fest • April — Thousands flock to the annual Lake Worth Reggae Festival at Bryant Park. This entertaining event presents big name, nationally recognized musical performers. This family-friendly festival celebrates Caribbean food, music and culture. Paid admission. Installation Gala & Annual Meeting • April — The gala is held annually on the last Friday of April at the Pavilion at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The gala features the installation of the chamber’s incoming chairman and board while honoring the outgoing chairman. The evening includes a silent auction, live auction, dinner, refreshments and dancing. Paid admission. Stiletto Awards Luncheon • April — The Palms West Community Foundation’s Stiletto Awards honor five outstanding women: a philanthropist, an entrepreneur, a corporate leader, an elected official and an educator. Applications are presented
to a selection committee, which utilizes clear criteria for the selection process. Paid admission. Teacher Appreciation Celebration • May — The annual Teacher Appreciation Celebration is held post FCAT testing and celebrates another successful year for the educators and administrators of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber service area. Attendees enjoy complimentary dinner, refreshments and giveaways provided by chamber business members. By invitation only. Green Energy & Climate Conference • May — This important conference is designed to focus on education and networking to help businesses in today’s green economy. General sessions and panels showcase leaders in utility, solar, agriculture, government, academia, technology and financial industries who share their insight, expertise and progress in finding more sustainable economic development initiatives. Paid Admission. Business of the Year Awards • June — The chamber selects Business of the Year award recipients on an annual basis for three categories: a company with revenue under $2 million, a company with revenue over $2 million and a national company. Applications are presented to a selection committee, which utilizes clear criteria for the selection process. Awards are announced at the chamber’s June luncheon. Paid admission. Taste in the West & Chocolate Lovers Festival • June — This event brings young and old out for a night of sampling some of the best cuisine and confections that Central Palm Beach County has to offer. Nearly 40 restaurants and caterers offer tasty food samples along with mouthwatering chocolate desserts. The event also includes a business expo and entertainment. Paid admission. Annual Poker Tournament • August — The chamber partners with the Palm Beach Kennel Club to present this annual competitive event. The winner receives a cash prize and a seat at the World Series of Poker Circuit held annually at the club’s Poker Room. Paid admission.
Tropical Triathlon • September — This extreme sporting event starts off with a quarter-mile swim in the Atlantic Ocean and is followed by an 11-mile bike ride and 5k run through downtown Lake Worth. It showcases the Intracoastal, the boardwalk and Lake Worth’s recent renovations. Paid admission. Business Planning Academy • September — The academy is designed to provide business people with the tools, information and training necessary to develop a new business plan or optimize their current one. The six-week academy is great for anyone looking to start a business, improve their current business or just desiring to enhance general business knowledge. Paid admission. Golf Tournament • October — The goal of the Palms West Community Foundation Golf Classic Tournament is to bring chamber members and their guests an afternoon of relaxed networking in an effort to raise money needed to meet the mission and annual goals of the foundation. Paid admission. Fall Festival • October — The chamber and Village of Wellington team up to bring the Wellington Fall Festival to the community. This very special spooky Halloween event takes place at Village Park in Wellington and includes haunted hallways, bounce houses, door-to-door trick or treating, a costume contest, hay rides and more. Paid admission. Brews & Blues • October — This event is a salute to Oktoberfest with a twist. It closes down Bryant Park and features two days of the best blues music in South Florida and a wide selection of national and craft brewers. The festival includes activities for the kids, food expos and arts & craft exhibitors. Paid admission. Community Fitness 5K Run/Walk • November — Every year in November, runners and walkers gather at the Wellington Amphitheater to participate in the Annual Community Fitness 5K Run/Walk benefiting the Palms West Community Foundation. This event brings residents and chamber members together to promote health and fitness. Paid admission.
(Below, left to right) The Lake Worth Street Painting Festival takes place each February; the Stiletto Awards each April honor outstanding women.
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Farm City • November — The chamber works in collaboration with the Western Palm Beach County Farm Bureau and the Florida Farm Bureau on this annual event. The luncheon is dedicated to educating community leaders, county and state governmental officials, and the business community on farming issues. Paid admission. SalsaFest • November — This spicy festival features the rhythms of salsa music, the best of salsa dancing and the tastiest of ethnic foods. It celebrates the growth of Palm Beach County’s Hispanic market that now represents 30 percent of the population. The event also features carnival rides, Chihuahua races, a salsa cook-off, competitions, business expos, arts & crafts and more. Paid admission. Holiday Mile, Holiday Parade & Holiday Park • December — This annual event brings out thousands of spectators and participants who enjoy a full day of activities, including the Wellington Holiday Parade, a run/walk event and holiday park festivities culminating with the village’s tree lighting. Parade is free to the public; holiday park and run/walk are paid admission.
Business Tune-up Series • Year-round — This morning breakfast series of educational programs is provided on a monthly basis. Hot business training topics are presented by experts. Free to chamber members. Women in Business • Quarterly — The Palms West Community Foundation’s Women in Business Luncheon Series is comprised of four luncheons, one per quarter, held in various venues throughout the county. Presentation topics range from women’s healthcare to captivating subjects from the field of journalism, economics, even fashion. Paid admission. (Clockwise from top right) Sheriff Ric Bradshaw installs Dr. Jeffrey Bishop as chairman of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce; Chihuahua races are popular at SalsaFest each November; the Smart Grid panel discussion at the Green Energy & Climate Conference held each May; and Carmine Priore III is inducted into the chamber’s Hall of Fame.
Luncheons & Breakfast Meetings • Year-round — Chamber luncheons and breakfasts are held monthly and attract approximately 150 members. Attending provides members with the opportunity to network and establish relationships with other local business leaders. Featured presenters keep members abreast of happenings within the community and at the chamber. Paid admission. After Hours Business Networking Mixers • Year-round — After Hours Business Networking Mixers provide nearly 100 chamber members the opportunity for business card exchanges as they talk in a social, comfortable and fun atmosphere. Mixers are held at various locations on a monthly basis. Paid admission.
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The Central Palm Beach County Chamber Of Commerce Is Born The Story Behind The Merger Of The Palms West And Lake Worth Chambers By Angie Francalancia The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce was born from the emergence of a business climate without boundaries, and a desire to broaden that boundless client base for all. After a seven-month process that began in mid-2011, the newest and geographically largest business chamber in Palm Beach County formally launched on Feb. 27, 2012. A capacity crowd gathered at the Poinciana Country Club in suburban Lake Worth for the unveiling of the chamber’s name, logo and brand. It was the fruition of months of work from business minds from both ends of Palm Beach County to bring together the
former Palms West Chamber of Commerce and Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Worth Chamber. More importantly, it is a new beginning — signifying renewal, as well as change.”
More than 200 members watched history unfold as the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce began life at the organization’s kickoff luncheon.
Although the chambers were decades apart in age, both realized that the business climate as it had existed in the separate but similar parts of Palm Beach County, would be a thing of the past. No longer would close geography define the market for area businesses.
“We are now the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce,” announced Jaene Miranda, CEO of the newly merged organization. “What a historic moment for us all to be a part of. We are observing today not a victory, but a celebration of new opportunities — it’s symbolizing an end to what we have known for 28 years at the Palms West Chamber and 100 years at the Greater Lake
The Chamber’s Transition Team Members: (L-R) Roger Manning, Terri Wescott, Frank Gonzalez, Greg Rice, Betty Resch, Rick Tourville, Carmine Priore III, Rachelle Crain, Jaene Miranda and Dave Vespo. Not pictured: Dan Perrin and Bland Eng. photo by carol porter
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“I think that we all can agree that the business world we operate in today is very different than it was 28 years ago, and especially 100 years ago,” said Carmine Priore III, 2011-12 chairman of the newly merged chamber. “Not only are we facing tough economic challenges, but we are maneuvering
through a more diverse, global environment — an environment whose entire communication structure is changing.” Not only area growth, but improved roads and the advances of the information age have put a new perspective on the business market, not only in Palm Beach County but throughout the world. As an early part of the merger analysis, the business leaders discovered that, although many businesses had clientele across Palm Beach County, only about 35 were members of both chambers. The merger process began in 2011 when the Palms West Chamber reached out to the Greater Lake Worth Chamber to explore the opportunity after the Lake Worth Chamber’s CEO resigned. The entire process involved many steps — members from each chambers’ boards met to discuss the idea, then each wrote a white paper to analyze it for their entire chamber board. They knew immediately that all members of both chambers would garner significant benefits from a larger, stronger organization. In October 2011, the two groups signed an “intent to merge” agreement and began a due diligence period where accountants and attorneys pored over the books. The documents were signed in February 2012. Meanwhile, a transition team and marketing committee, each of which had blended expertise from both chambers, were hard at work. CEO Jaene Miranda worked with transition team members — Carmine Priore III, Bland Eng, Frank Gonzalez, Rachelle Crain and Terri Wescott from the Palms West Chamber, and Rick Tourville, Dave Vespo, Betty Resch, Greg Rice, Dan Perrin and Roger Manning from the Greater Lake Worth Chamber — to solve logistical and legal issues.
But one issue that would take a bit more work was naming the new entity. How would it be identified? Should the name be broad enough to allow for future expansion? What name would lead out-of-town businesses to find it? Such were the questions pondered as the process continued. And once finally decided, it was most important to not only pick a name but create a brand. The marketing committee — Rachelle Crain, Rob Jager, Kimberly Leland, Eric Gordon, Greg Dillard, Angie Francalancia, Greg Rice, Ron Tomchin, Mary Lou Bedford, Jaene Miranda and Sandi Quigley — let the creative juices flow to define the Central Palm Beach County Chamber’s brand and create a new logo. It was revealed during the February luncheon in a high-energy video that incorporated scenes, leadership and members from all the communities comprising the Central Palm Beach County Chamber. The new logo, comprised of blue and green intermingled shapes, represents the chamber’s mission statement, “Leading the way in connecting businesses and communities” in the area that extends from cane to coral, Priore said. The new name is a recognition that, like Palm Beach County as a whole, businesses and the business climate has enmeshed large parts of Palm Beach County. This growth will only continue, and the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce is expected to bring more political and business clout to the area and member businesses. “It does not matter whether you were a member of the Palms West Chamber or the Greater Lake Worth Chamber — or maybe both,” said Rick Tourville, past chairman of
the Lake Worth Chamber and board member of the newly merged organization. “The bottom line is that this merger delivers benefits to our new organization and its members that would not have been realized as individual entities. Our member businesses will have the opportunity to increase their networking and marketing opportunities anywhere from 50 to 100 percent while keeping their original investment the same.” The immediate benefit of the merger is that all the members of each chamber now have the support system provided by a strong regional chamber. And the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce can define its strength in several ways. It represents 1,200 member businesses in 15 incorporated municipalities, and serves an area of 400,000 residents — 40 percent of Palm Beach County stretching from the western sugar cane fields to the coral reefs of the Atlantic Ocean. With the merger, networking and marketing opportunities for members immediately increased dramatically. The 1,200 members each now have significantly increased business points of contact, 57 networking events, 12 grassroots signature events, 5 educational programs and 6 member-support programs. “From an economic impact perspective, we’re now looking at a $1.5 million investment by the Central Palm Beach County Chamber into the economy,” Miranda said. “This is about putting the money back in to make it work for the members.” Priore said the strengthened chamber will bring more resources to member businesses, and as a single voice, hold greater business and political clout.
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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“The merger will allow for economies of scale, which will in turn allow for investment in the infrastructure to improve operational efficiencies,” he said. “It also will allow for an investment in technology that will improve communication and an investment in human capital that will improve customer service.” With two offices — one at Southern Boulevard and F Road in Loxahatchee Groves, and one at 501 Lake Avenue in downtown Lake Worth — members and future members have two locations for one-on-one consultations as well as getting brochures and other information about the chamber and the communities it serves. Like the 1,200 member businesses, the Central Palm Beach County Chamber’s service area is diverse, including 15 incorporated municipalities along with a few additional
distinct communities. It offers an array of major economic industries, including medical, agriculture, equestrian and coastal tourism. 2012-13 Chairman Dr. Jeffrey Bishop said he was looking forward to the challenge of pulling together one unified chamber while growing the industries within its service area. “I’m honored to take on this role. We’ve got a great board of directors and great support from our businesses in the community, and I want to make sure it stays solid,” said Bishop, chief medical officer of Wellington Regional Medical Center and director of medical education for the hospital.
in different parts of Palm Beach County to serve a large, diverse group of patients. He’s committed to ensuring that each business and each community thrive in the new, larger chamber, he said. “I want to make sure that we respect every community’s unique characteristics while making everybody in the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce all feel special,” Bishop concluded. To learn more about the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, visit www.cpb chamber.com.
Bishop, who has also chaired the chamber’s Medical Committee, shared that, like the chamber, many physicians have offices
The Chamber’s Marketing Committee: (L-R) Jaene Miranda, Kimberly Leland, Eric Gordon, Ron Tomchin, Rachelle Crain (chair), Greg Dillard, Rob Jager, Angie Francalancia, Mary Lou Bedford, Sandi Quigley and Greg Rice (front). photo by carol porter
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13001 Southern Blvd. • Loxahatchee, FL 33470 • (561) 798-3300 www.PalmsWestHospital.com Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Phone Numbers EMERGENCY All Emergencies (Police, Fire and Rescue)..................... 911 Poison Control Center........ (800) 222-1222
COMMUNITIES Acreage/Indian Trail Improvement District 13476 61st Street North West Palm Beach, FL 33412 (561) 793-0874 www.indiantrail.com Atlantis 260 Orange Tree Drive Atlantis, FL 33462 (561) 965-1744 www.atlantisfl.gov Belle Glade 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Belle Glade, FL 33430 (561) 996-0100 www.bellegladegov.com Greenacres 5800 Melaleuca Lane Greenacres, FL 33463 (561) 642-2000 www.ci.greenacres.fl.us Lake Clarke Shores 1701 Barbados Road Lake Clarke Shores, FL 33406 (561) 964-1515 www.townoflakeclarkeshores.com Lake Worth 7 N. Dixie Highway Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 586-1600 www.lakeworth.org Lantana 500 Greynolds Circle Lantana, FL 33462 (561) 540-5000 www.lantana.org Loxahatchee Groves 14579 Southern Blvd., Suite 2 Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561) 793-2418 www.loxahatcheegrovesfl.gov Manalapan 600 South Ocean Blvd. Manalapan, FL 33462 (561) 585-9477 www.manalapan.org
Palm Springs 226 Cypress Lane Palm Springs, FL 33461 (561) 965-4010 www.villageofpalmsprings.org Royal Palm Beach 1050 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 790-5103 www.royalpalmbeach.com South Palm Beach 3577 South Ocean Blvd. South Palm Beach, FL 33480 (561) 588-8889 www.southpalmbeach.com Wellington 12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 791-4000 www.wellingtonfl.gov West Palm Beach 401 Clematis St. West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 822-2222 www.wpb.org
Humane Society/ Peggy Adams.................... (561) 686-3663
UTILITIES
Internal Revenue Service....(800) 829-1040
AT&T (Residential)............ (888) 757-6500
Library System................. (561) 233-2600
Bright House Networks..... (866) 309-3279
Marriage Licenses............. (561) 355-2230
Comcast........................... (800) 266-2278
Palm Tran Connection....... (561) 649-9838
Florida Power & Light........ (561) 697-8000
Parks & Recreation............ (561) 966-6600
Florida Public Utilities....... (800) 427-7712
Post Office/U.S.................. (800) 725-2161
Republic Services of Palm Beach...................... (561) 478-9590
Property Appraiser........... (561) 355-3230 Public Affairs.................... (561) 355-4314 Rape Crisis Center............. (561) 833-7273 Roads & Bridges................ (561) 233-3950 School Board.................... (561) 434-8000
Animal Care & Control....... (561) 233-1200 Auto Tag Information........ (561) 355-2622 Birth & Death Certificates...(561) 837-5847
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Sheriff’s Office.................. (561) 668-3000
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 1062 13901 Southern Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561) 790-6200 www.cpbchamber.com
Small Business Administration................. (561) 833-1672 Social Security Administration................. (800) 772-1213 Solid Waste Authority....... (561) 697-2700 Sports Commission........... (561) 233-3180
Tax Collector..................... (561) 355-2264 U.S. Coast Guard............... (561) 844-4470 Veterans’ Services............. (561) 355-4761 Voter Registration............ (561) 656-6200
CITIZEN SERVICES
Business Occupational Licenses........................... (561) 355-2272
AIDS Hotline..................... (800) 590-2437
Clerk of the Court.............. (561) 355-2996
Alcoholics Anonymous....... (561) 655-5700
County Administrator........ (561) 355-2712
Better Business Bureau..... (561) 842-1918
County Commission.......... (561) 355-2001
Center for Information & Crisis............ 211
County Courthouse/WPB... (561) 355-2996
Child Care Referral............ (561) 514-3300
County Courthouse/ Glades Area...................... (561) 996-4843
Consumer Affairs.............. (561) 712-6600
County Courthouse/South...(561) 274-1400 Crime Stoppers................. (800) 458-8477 Division of Planning, Zoning & Building............. (561) 233-5100
Convention & Visitors Bureau................ (561) 233-3000 Contractors Certification Division............................ (561) 233-5525 Crisis Hotline.................... (561) 547-1000
Driver’s License Bureau..... (561) 681-6333
Cultural Council................ (561) 471-2901
Emergency Management....(561) 712-6400
Florida Abuse Hotline........ (800) 962-2873
Fire-Rescue...................... (561) 616-7000
Lawyer Referral................ (561) 687-3266
Fish & Wildlife Commission...................... (561) 625-5122
Legal Aid Society.............. (561) 655-8944
Gun Permits..................... (561) 681-2530 Health Department.......... (561) 840-4500 Highway Patrol................. (561) 357-4299
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Waste Management of Palm Beach.................. (561) 547-4000
Senior Help Line................................ 211
Supervisors of Elections.... (561) 656-6200
Main Office....................... (561) 355-3623
Veolia Environmental Services........................... (561) 471-6110
S.C.O.R.E. WPB.................. (561) 833-1672
State Attorney.................. (561) 355-7100
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Solid Waste Authority....... (561) 697-2700
Power Outage Hotline....... (800) 468-8243 Teen Hotline...................................... 211 Time, Date & Temperature.................... (561) 832-3801
Business Development Board of Palm Beach County 310 Evernia Street West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 835-1008 www.bdb.org Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 800 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 233-3000 www.palmbeachfl.com Palm Beach County Cultural Council 601 Lake Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 471-2901 www.palmbeachculture.com Palm Beach County Sports Commission 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 930 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 233-3180 www.palmbeachsports.com Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches One Harvard Circle, Suite 102 West Palm Beach, FL 33409 (561) 585-4544 www.rapb.com
Palm Beach County By The Numbers GENERAL INFORMATION
POPULATION TRENDS
Area in Square Miles................2,578
2010 Census..................... 1,320,132
Area without Lake Okeechobee....1,974
2011 Estimate.................. 1,344,308
Average Maximum Temp.............83F
2016 Projection................ 1,438,011
Average Minimum Temp..............67F Average Temp.............................75F Average Annual Precipitation...62 in.
Total Housing Units.............. 657,106
Number of Municipalities..............38
Occupied Units..................... 523,150 Vacant Units........................ 133,956
Male......................................48.9% Female...................................51.1% Under 18............................. 268,884 18 & Over......................... 1,051,250 20-34.................................. 220,799 35-49.................................. 261,308 50-64.................................. 252,686 65 & Over............................ 285,155 Median Age...................... 43.7 Years
Less Than $10,000...................6.49% $10,000 - 20,000................... 10.28% $20,000 - 30,000................... 11.06% $30,000 - 40,000................... 10.58%
HOUSING
GENDER & AGE DISTRIBUTION
POPULATION BY COMMUNITY
HOUSEHOLD INCOME DISTRIBUTION
$40,000 - 50,000.....................9.38% $50,000 - 60,000.....................7.35% $60,000 - 75,000.....................10.2% $75,000 - 100,000...................11.6% More than $100,000.............. 22.03%
Average Household Size
The Acreage/Indian Trail........ 39,072 Greenacres............................ 37,873 Lake Worth............................ 34,901 Lantana................................ 10,466 Loxahatchee Groves.................3,162 Manalapan.................................460 Palm Springs......................... 19,082 Royal Palm Beach................. 34, 234 Tequesta.................................5,646 Wellington............................ 56,752
Owner-Occupied........................2.40 EDUCATION
Sources:
Number of Public Schools............187
The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce
Renter-Occupied........................2.58 LABOR FORCE
Number of Teachers............... 12,480
Civilian Labor Force.............. 624,289
The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County
Overall Enrollment............... 174,004
Employment....................... 567,100
The Palm Beach County School District
INCOME AND WAGES
O.S. Census Bureau
Household Median Income... $56,120 Average Annual Wage.......... $46,325
Applied Graphic Solutions
NOTE: Totals may not be exact due to rounding
Where Service is
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Email: keith@wpb-ins.com Web: wpb-ins.com • www.Jordanogroup.com
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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561.790.6200
www.cpbchamber.com
The CenTral Palm BeaCh CounTy ChamBer of CommerCe Proudly ServeS The acreage atlantis Glades area Greenacres lake Clarke Shores lake Worth lantana loxahatchee loxahatchee Groves manalapan Palm Springs royal Palm Beach South Palm Beach Wellington West Palm Beach Proud member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce
Graphic services provided by Land Design South www.LandDesignSouth.com
36 |2013| Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide
Leading the Way in Connecting Businesses and Communities
West Office 13901 Southern Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470 EAST OFFICE 501 Lake Ave. Lake Worth, FL 33460
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Community Guide
Community Guide Palm Beach County Palm Beach County is the largest county in Florida, encompassing 2,386 square miles stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the perimeter of Lake Okeechobee. It is home to a diverse population of about 1.3 million people and is considered part of the South Florida metropolitan area. Palm Beach County was created in 1909. It includes 38 separate municipalities, most of which are located in the east and central parts of the county. The county is governed by a 7-member Board of County Commissioners, each elected from separate districts, and run by a county administrator. Palm Beach County is home to several major industries. Tourism dates back to 1894 when Henry Flagler established the area as a winter destination for the wealthy. Seated at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, the rich soil in the western portion of the county keeps agriculture among the county’s top industries. Palm Beach County also is home to several high-tech businesses, and in recent years has established a biomedical cluster around the entrée of the Scripps Research Institute. Niche industries, including golfing and equestrian sports, bring unique visitors to Palm Beach County each year. Palm Beach County’s municipalities are distinct. They include some older cities with traditional commerce centers and downtowns, some heavily
The Palm Beach County Convention Center.
residential communities, and rural communities. Palm Beach County also features thousands of acres of natural areas, including scrubs, forests, dunes and Everglades habitats. Learn more at www.pbcgov.com.
The Acreage/Indian Trail The Indian Trail Improvement District was created by the Florida Legislature in 1957 as a F.S. Chapter 298 special district. ITID is an independent special district that provides water management and infrastructure development services to properties in Palm Beach County. The special district is governed by a five-member board of supervisors, which is elected by popular vote to four-year terms. The 1957 legislation was strictly for storm water management. ITID now maintains not only 164.2 miles of canals, but also 9 rural and equestrian parks and more than 389 miles of unpaved roads and more than 70 miles of paved roads. ITID’s service area includes a population of over 40,000 covering 110 square miles. The Acreage, a large rural-residential community in central Palm Beach County, comprises most of the Indian Trail service area. It consists of more than 17,000 lots each about 1.25 acres, which are home to about 45,000 residents who value their open spaces and the ambience of equestrian and rural lifestyles. The Acreage is home to four elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Its commerce is predominantly community retail and home-based businesses. The Acreage/Indian Trail is proud of its large recreational horse community.
Learn more at www.indiantrail.com. Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Community Guide Atlantis The City of Atlantis, located in central Palm Beach County, incorporated in 1959. It is home to the Atlantis Country Club and the Atlantis Golf Club. The permanent population of Atlantis is 2,005, with 1,200 residences and an average year-round occupancy of 70 percent. About 43 percent of the total land area is devoted to recreation and permanent open space, 46.8 percent residential, and 10.2 percent commercial/office. JFK Medical Center is located in Atlantis. The medical center and the surrounding doctors’ offices are the primary commercial industry in the city. The city’s boundaries are the Lake Worth Drainage District L-14 Canal on the north, Lantana Road on the south, Military Trail on the West and South Congress Avenue on the east. Atlantis City Hall.
Learn more at www.atlantisfl.gov.
The Glades The fertile land along the shores of Lake Okeechobee always has been a farming mecca. The Glades is home to some of the largest farming operations in South Florida, including Florida Crystals and U.S. Sugar. Three cities are nestled amid the farms in western Palm Beach County: Belle Glade, South Bay and Pahokee. Belle Glade, located on the eastern shore of Lake Okeechobee, is the largest of the three with a population of 28,000 residents. On the high ridge northeast of Belle Glade is Pahokee, and on the Big Lake’s southeast bend is South Bay. Settlers have been drawn to The Glades for its fertile farm land since the turn of the century. Sugar production, which comprises the largest percentage of acreage, dates back to the 1920s with the advent of the first sugar mill. Pahokee, a vegetable farm region since the early 1920s, was incorporated in 1922, the same year the Pahokee Drainage District was formed. Belle Glade followed in 1928, incorporating just five months before the infamous Hurricane of 1928 decimated the region. South Bay followed in 1941. Each is run by a council-manager form of government. About 400,000 acres in the Glades are in sugar cane production, accounting for about 75 percent of Florida’s commercial sugar cane acreage. Other major crops comprising the Glades agricultural industry are sweet corn,
Belle Glade is home to the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center.
bell peppers and celery. The area also is known for fresh-water fishing in Lake Okeechobee. Learn more at www.bellegladegov.com.
Greenacres Located 5 miles from the Atlantic Ocean in central Palm Beach County, the City of Greenacres is home to approximately 37,873 residents and more than 1,000 small- and medium-sized businesses. The city was founded in 1926 and today is the 8th-largest of the 38 municipalities in Palm Beach County. The city operates under a council-manager form of government with a mission to improve the quality of life by providing the best and most cost-efficient services and facilities to residents and businesses. Greenacres is a well-planned, safe and attractive community, with an efficient and effective local government. The city is home to five elementary schools, three middle schools and a high school, as well as numerous houses of worship, a library and a post office. The city has 11 parks with a combined area of over 93 acres, providing a variety of recreational opportunities for day and night time play for residents of all ages. Greenacres City Hall.
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Learn more at www.ci.greenacres.fl.us.
Community Guide
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(561) 337-6972 www.YCGInc.com Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Community Guide Grooming Services Now Available Call 561-422-4220
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Community Guide Lake Clarke Shores Founded in the late 1940s, Lake Clarke Shores was incorporated in 1957 after John Clarke, son of a Palm Beach pioneer, bought 5 acres of land on Parker Avenue for a pineapple farm. Today 3,600 inhabitants live in the one-square-mile town. As a full-service municipality, the Town of Lake Clarke Shores provides police services and garbage and trash collection. The majority of the town’s industry is made up of educational, health and social services with 24 percent, followed by professional, scientific, management, administrative and waste management services with 16 percent. Finance, insurance, and real estate comprise 13 percent, and rental and leasing makes up another 13 percent. Retail is 9 percent. Within the Town of Lake Clark Shores are three churches. For leisure activities, there’s the Town Hall Park & Playground, the Heart Trail with exercise stations, Pine Tree Park, a boat ramp, tennis courts, a garden club and a town pavilion, which can be rented. Learn more at www.townoflakeclarkeshores.com.
Lake Clarke Shores Town Hall.
Lake Worth Lake Worth is a dynamic, multi-cultural, coastal city of 37,000 residents with strong social and environmental consciousness. People are drawn to the city by its individualistic style, acceptance of different cultures and lifestyles, many historic structures, hip downtown, and distinctive residential neighborhoods. The city was incorporated in 1912, one of the oldest developments along the East Coast of Florida, and it has a rich history and distinct architecture. Over 1,000 historic buildings contribute to the human scale of the city and the charm of its downtown and residential neighborhoods. Lake Worth is one of the coastal communities in South Florida that has avoided high-rise development and retained its old-Florida flavor. The downtown is considered the artistic soul of Lake Worth with an historic theater and museum, live music clubs, coffee houses, art galleries, antique malls, retail stores and many restaurants. The city has a broad array of recreational opportunities, including the beach, boating in fresh and saltwater, a city-owned golf course and fishing pier, a waterfront amphitheater, and many parks and athletic facilities. The Lake Worth Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway.
Learn more at www.lakeworth.org.
Lantana The Town of Lantana is a coastal community in Palm Beach County, which still retains the charm of its origins as an old Florida fishing village. It is the 15th-largest of Palm Beach County’s 38 municipalities, with a population of 10,422, and is noted as one of the oldest communities. Incorporated in 1921, Lantana encompasses an area of approximately 3 square miles. The town is a full-service community offering police protection, public works, water and sewer utilities, building services, marine safety and municipal administration. The town’s form of government consists of a town manager with a mayor and four council members elected for three-year overlapping terms. The town manager is appointed by the town council. The Town of Lantana’s recreational facilities include an eight-acre municipal beach with 745 feet of ocean frontage, open picnic areas, oceanfront pavilion, showers, restrooms, lifeguard station and playground area. The town has four passive parks, which encompass 12 acres and provide shaded picnic areas with playground equipment and restrooms. There is also a recreation center with four tennis courts, four shuffleboard courts and a barbecue pavilion with a picnic area as well as and a two-acre boat launching facility capable of a four-boat capacity with a parking area. Learn more at www.lantana.org.
The Town of Lantana’s municipal beach.
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Community Guide Loxahatchee Groves Loxahatchee Groves is the oldest community in central Palm Beach County, dating its history to a turn-of-the-century citrus operation. It is unique for its lack of tract houses, golf courses, chain restaurants or other hallmarks of suburban South Florida. The Town of Loxahatchee Groves became Palm Beach County’s youngest municipality with its incorporation in 2006. The town council consists of 5 council members led by a mayor and vice mayor. The ability to control and have a meaningful voice in determining the future use of the undeveloped properties within its historic boundaries was the key issue that drove incorporation. The town operates on a “Government Lite” and contract form of government, enabling the town to deliver services to the community in an efficient and cost-effective manner. A mixture of 5- and 10-acre lots, Loxahatchee Groves is home to approximately 4,000 residents. Nurseries are prevalent and represent the community’s top industry. Many residents keep livestock and run home-
Loxahatchee Groves incorporated in 2006, but the community dates back to 1917.
based businesses. Loxahatchee Groves also has a strong equestrian community. Learn more at www.loxahatcheegroves.org.
Manalapan Snuggled on the east coast of Palm Beach County, Manalapan remains a small and quiet community dedicated to maintaining exceptional levels of service, controlled development and a conservative approach to government. First recorded in history in 1889 when President Benjamin Harrison granted George H.K. Carter a homestead on unmanned land, the sparsely populated settlement was incorporated in 1931 by Commodore Harold Vanderbilt. The Indian translation of Manalapan is “good bread.” Manalapan comprises two separate areas, contiguous only by water. One portion lies along A1A, and the other shares Hypoluxo Island with the Town of Lantana. Manalapan’s 406 year-round population swells to about 440 when seasonal or other non-residents are included. Manalapan has a commission-manager form of government, and provides residents with full police and fire services. The town also provides water sevices to the residents of Manalapan and Hypoluxo. The town commission is dedicated to continuing the vision of its founders, who conceived Manalapan as a low-density residential community of beauty and quality complementing its natural environment. A sign welcomes visitors to Manalapan.
Learn more at www.manalapan.org.
Palm Springs The Village of Palm Springs is a full-service municipality with a smalltown atmosphere. Chartered in 1957, the village covers a 3.53-squaremile area, 700 acres of which were once a dairy farm. The barn of the original farm is now Christ Community Church, located on Henthorne Drive. Palm Springs’s population is about 18,928. Half of the residents live in single-family houses, and the rest live in condominiums, town houses and apartments. Palm Springs is primarily residential. Businesses — concentrated on Congress Avenue, 10th Avenue North, Lake Worth Road, Forest Hill Blvd. and Military Trail — include several shopping centers, the largest of which are the Greenwood and Palm Springs shopping plazas. Palm Springs also has a WalMart Supercenter as well as Oxygen Development, a new manufacturing facility. Learn more at www.villageofpalmsprings.org.
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The Village of Palm Springs Municipal Complex.
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Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Community Guide Royal Palm Beach The Village of Royal Palm Beach incorporated in 1959. It is governed by a mayor and village council, and provides municipal services to 34,140 residents. The village is located in the central part of Palm Beach County and encompasses 11 square miles. The village provides diverse activities that enrich lifetime skills and physical development, and fulfill personal needs. Royal Palm Beach has a high standard of 10 acres of park space for every 1,000 residents. These parks are planned, functional and designed with open space areas that are maintained at a high standard and serve the present and future needs of the residents. In 2008, Family Circle magazine recognized the Village of Royal Palm Beach as one of its Top 10 Best for Families. Royal Palm Beach also has been named Tree City USA by the national Arbor Day Foundation each year since 1990. The entire area within the village limits is designated as a bird sanctuary. Learn more at www.royalpalmbeach.com.
Royal Palm Beach’s welcome sign at Okeechobee Blvd.
South Palm Beach The Town of South Palm Beach is a beautiful community of 1,539 residents located in Palm Beach County on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. South Palm Beach is approximately five-eighths of a mile long and is bounded by the Town of Palm Beach on the north and the Town of Lantana to the south. The primary focus of the community is to protect the residential nature of the town and to maintain its high quality of life through providing a variety of services to the citizenry. The Town of South Palm Beach was incorporated in 1955 and is operated under a town council-town manager form of government. South Palm Beach Town Hall.
Learn more at www.southpalmbeach.com.
Wellington From bocce and bingo to paying respects at the Patriot Memorial, the Village of Wellington is proud to be a great hometown for all generations. About 30 minutes from the Atlantic, Wellington is home to more than 56,000 people and is known for its A-rated public schools, abundant green space and its cosmopolitan equestrian community. Residents can start the day at Scott’s Place barrier-free playground where children gather for Story Time. In the early afternoon, crowds gather at the Wellington Green Market as residents stock up on fresh produce and sample baked goods. Family-friendly nightlife begins at the Wellington Amphitheater with free movies, concerts, shows and community events, drawing hundreds of spectators. Wellington is a community with a strong volunteer base and united neighborhoods. Residents joined forces in March 2012 to rebuild the playground at Tiger Shark Cove Park. No matter where you’re from, Wellington is a place you can be proud to call home. Learn more at www.wellingtonfl.gov.
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The Wellington Municipal Complex.
Community Guide West Palm Beach West Palm Beach is the most populous city in Palm Beach County as well as the county seat. The Palm Beach County Governmental Center, as well as the Palm Beach County and federal court houses, are located in downtown West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach was settled by those who helped Henry Flagler turn the area into the first vacation destination. It was incorporated in 1894. Its population is about 99,000, and the city is governed by a mayor and city commission. The downtown area of the city is comprised of the downtown business district, along with several historic neighborhoods, including El Cid, Flamingo Park, Grandview Heights and Northwood. Many of the historic buildings date to the 1920s when the city saw rapid growth as part of Florida’s land boom. The broad waterfront along the Intracoastal Waterway, which marks West Palm Beach’s eastern edge, draws gatherings for special events, including an annual boat show and the SunFest art and music festival. West Palm Beach is home to two private colleges, Palm Beach Atlantic University and Northwood University. Learn more at www.wpb.org.
West Palm Beach City Hall.
Acreage/Indian Trail Atlantis The Glades Greenacres Lake Clarke Shores Lake Worth Lantana Loxahatchee Groves Manalapan Palm Springs Royal Palm Beach South Palm Beach Wellington West Palm Beach
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Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Healthcare Healthcare
Many Top Hospitals Serve Central Palm Beach County Communities
The communities of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce service area are known for being home to the best healthcare available, anchored by several exceptional hospitals. Among them are Palms West Hospital in Loxahatchee Groves, JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, Wellington Regional Medical Center in Wellington and Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade. Palms West Hospital
Palms West Hospital has provided healthcare excellence since 1986. It is a thriving, comprehensive, acute-care community hospital offering a wide range of specialty services operated by a team of compassionate, dedicated healthcare professionals working toward a central focus — their patients. Palms West continues to grow and expand while offering the latest technological advances, patient safety initiatives and the best in healthcare to patients. Construction is well underway for a 32-bed expansion project, which brings the hospital to 204 total beds. The hospital looks forward to the benefits it will bring to the community for many years to come. Palms West offers adult and pediatric emergency care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With specially trained physicians, nurses and support staff equipped with the resources of a full-service adult and pediatric hospital, it is the only hospital in the western communities with a dedicated pediatric emergency department. The Children’s Hospital at Palms West offers a full complement of healthcare services, including pediatric intensive care, sedation, surgery and oncology. Services to pediatric patients, their families and the community reflect an ongoing commitment to exceptional patient care. From birth through adolescence, Palms West is a recognized leader in pediatric healthcare, providing a special place that is calming to children and assuring to parents.
Today, many surgeries can be performed through the smallest of incisions with robotic surgery. This approach uses a robotic surgical system that provides surgeons better vision, more precision and control. It requires only a few small incisions, so patients can get back to normal life faster, without the usual recovery time involved in major surgery. Palms West has two da Vinci Si Surgical Systems, providing robotic-assisted procedures in gynecological, urological and general surgery. It is an effective, minimally invasive alternative to both open surgery and laparoscopy. Recognized for many achievements, Palms West Hospital was named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Top Tier Best Regional Hospitals in the specialty area of gynecology. It is an Accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Palms West undertook a rigorous evalu-
ation of its heart care processes in order to integrate the industry’s best practices into its cardiac care services. Designated as a Primary Stroke Center, Palms West has demonstrated compliance with Joint Commission Standards for healthcare quality and safety. Patients benefit from its commitment to providing the best possible care within a community setting. It is the mission at Palms West Hospital to make the patient experience safe, secure and as comfortable as possible. Services include: around the clock adult and pediatric emergency department, cardiology, stroke care, robotic surgery, obstetrics, pediatric care, breast center, orthopedics and outpatient rehabilitation/aquatic therapy. Palms West Hospital is located at 13001 Southern Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves. For more info., call (561) 798-3300 or visit www.palmswest hospital.com.
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JFK Medical Center
Conveniently located in the heart of Palm Beach County, JFK Medical Center is a 460-bed facility known for its comprehensive services, including general and orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, stroke care, minimally invasive surgery, robotics, cancer care, sleep disorders, emergency services and cardiovascular care. The medical staff is comprised of more than 500 physicians representing virtually every medical specialty. The staff also includes more than 2,000 healthcare professionals, complemented by over 300 volunteers.
Photo by C.J. Walker
With more than 70,000 patients coming through its emergency department each year — many experiencing symptoms of a heart attack — JFK’s 24-hour chest pain emergency center, fully accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, is busier than ever. In addition, the Heart and Vascular Institute continues to receive accolades for its superior outcomes and advanced procedures. JFK’s was the first heart program in Palm
COMPREHENSIVE CARE LOCATED IN THE HEART OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
JFK Medical Center is proud to provide the highest quality of care to South Florida. We are known for our comprehensive services including: - General and Orthopedic Surgery - Bariatric Surgery - Breast Care - Neurosciences - Stroke Care - Cardiovascular Care - Minimally Invasive Surgery - Robotics - Cancer Care - Sleep Disorders - 24-Hour Emergency Services - Wound Management - Behavioral Health
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50 |2013| Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide
Healthcare Beach County and the Treasure Coast to offer Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) therapy with the Edwards SAPIEN valve, offering hope for patients who are not candidates for traditional valve replacement procedures. Nationally recognized for neuroscience services, JFK is a leading treatment and resource center for people affected by complex neurological conditions. A team of multidisciplinary neuroscience specialists uses the latest technology and treatments to diagnose and treat diverse, chronic and challenging problems involving the brain, spine, cerebrovascular system and nervous system. JFK is also at the forefront of stroke diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The center’s stroke program has been certified by the Joint Commission and given its “Gold Seal of Approval.” The Orthopedic Institute at JFK was the first and is most experienced hospital on Florida’s East Coast to be designated by the Joint
Commission as a Center of Joint Distinction. It takes a comprehensive approach to the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. The institute can develop customized treatment plans that help patients return to maximum function as quickly and safely as possible. Specialties include joint replacement and reconstruction, spine care, foot and ankle care, hand and upper extremity, sports medicine, workrelated injuries and rehabilitation. JFK Emergency Care Services freestanding emergency rooms deliver the same expert emergency care provided at the hospital in other parts of the county. The Palm Beach Gardens location in the Mainstreet at Midtown Shopping Center opened in October 2012 and is the first facility of its kind in the county. A second location is scheduled to open in Spring 2013 in western Boynton Beach. As an affiliate of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, JFK serves as
the major training site for the university’s Regional Campus Internal Medicine Residency program. This made JFK part of an elite group of hospitals, as only 6 percent of hospitals in this country are teaching facilities. JFK Medical Center looks forward to bringing breakthroughs in cardiac and cancer care, as well as the latest technology, diagnostic tools and procedures to care for the community. JFK Medical Center is located at 5301 S. Congress Ave., Atlantis. For more info., call (561) 965-7300 or visit www.jfkmc.com.
Wellington Regional Medical Center
When Wellington Regional Medical Center first opened its doors in 1986, Alan B. Miller, chairman and CEO of Universal Health Services Inc., envisioned a patient-centered hospital that would one day serve as the heart of a thriving community. Wellington
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Wellington Regional is one of the largest employers in the western communities with 875 employees, a medical staff of 525 physicians representing more than 45 specialties, and a 125-member volunteer auxiliary. It has grown from a small community hospital to a thriving medical center, offering comprehensive services ranging from neonatal intensive care to wound care and hyperbaric medicine to some of the most advanced technologies in orthopedics and neurosurgery available today. Wellington Regional Medical Center offers a wide array of specialized medical services. For example, its beautiful and spacious 25-bed Level II and III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides the advanced technology necessary to provide care of the sickest and tiniest of newborns. Local residents now have convenient access to this
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high level of newborn care close to home. The Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine is located on the Wellington Regional campus and is dedicated to providing exceptional outpatient clinical wound management. Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team approach utilizing advanced, proven treatment modalities with excellent cure rates, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Wellington Regional’s Cancer Center is committed to delivering the finest clinical care possible. The Regional Cancer Center at Wellington is a private outpatient radiation treatment center featuring some of the most advanced technologies and cancer therapies available today. The hospital will continue investing to bring leading technologies, advanced equipment, programs and resources to the community so that it can meet the future needs of the families who trust Wellington Regional Medical Center to provide the quality, comprehensive medical care they need close to home. Wellington Regional Medical Center is located at 10101 W. Forest Hill Blvd. at the northwest intersection of State Road 7 in Wellington. To learn more about hospital services, visit www.wellingtonregional.com or call (561) 798-8500.
Healthcare Lakeside MedicaL Center
Lakeside Medical Center is a 70-bed, acutecare facility accredited by the Joint Commission that provides a 24-hour physician staffed emergency room with access to the Health Care District’s Trauma Hawk air ambulance. Lakeside Medical Center offers both inpatient and outpatient services, obstetrics, pediatrics, general surgery, radiology (including CT, MRI/ MRA, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, fluoroscopy and mammography) and respiratory therapy. The hospital treats over 38,000 patients a year. It is owned and operated by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and is the county’s only public hospital. In 2011, the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems recognized Lakeside Medical Center for achieving above-average scores in patient satisfaction, including the highest possible scores in five out of ten areas. In 2012, the Joint Commission designated Lakeside Medical Center a “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures in 2011” for surgical care and for treating heart failure and pneumonia. Lakeside Medical Center was one of seven hospitals in Palm Beach County to earn this distinction. Only 18 percent of the over 3,400 hospitals in the nation that reported their data to the Joint Commission received the “Top Performer” designation.
Primary care physicians and specialists together provide comprehensive and continuing healthcare for the individual and the family across all ages. Lakeside Medical Center’s family physicians and chief of surgery, who speak English, Spanish and Creole, are available for appointments at (561) 992-9477. In July 2011, in partnership with Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Palm Beach County Health Department, and other community organizations, the hospital inaugurated a new Family Medicine Residency Program for 15 resident physicians. Lakeside Medical Center offers enhanced Women’s Health Services, including primary care, maternal and child care, and bone densitometry to help women through all stages of their personal health. The hospital offers technologically advanced digital mammography screenings for earlier detection of breast cancer. A dedicated team of specialists provide neonatal (newborns up to 28 days old) and pediatric (infants, children and adolescents) hospitalist services on site, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The family-friendly Birthplace has six labor and delivery rooms and ten spacious postpartum rooms designed for maximum privacy.
D D C On the campus of Palms West Hospital An HCA Affiliate
Michael J. Monzel, M.D. Board Certified, Gastroenterology Aviv Katz, D.O. Board Certified, Gastroenterology Carlos Leon, M.D. Board Certified, Gastroenterology LOXAHATCHEE 12953 Palms West Drive, Suite 201 (561) 795-5130 • Fax: (561) 795-4160 ATLANTIS 5511 S. Congress Avenue, Suite 125 (561) 439-0961 • Fax: (561) 439-0963
Lakeside Medical Center is located at 39200 Hooker Highway, Belle Glade. For more info., call (561) 996-6571 or visit www.lakeside medical.org. An HCA Affiliate
Photo by John Ricksen
T C F
A S C On the campus of Palms West Hospital
James J. Goad, M.D., F.A.C.S. Andrew Larson, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.M.B.S. Fred L. Simon, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.R.C.S., F.A.S.M.B.S. Srinivas Kaza, M.D. Spanish and Arabic Spoken
LOXAHATCHEE 12953 Palms West Drive, Suite 201 (561) 795-5130 • Fax: (561) 795-4160 Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Healthcare Chamber’s Growing Medical Committee Much More Than A Networking Group By Ron Bukley The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Medical Committee has developed into more than a networking organization. Made up of physicians and medical professionals, the committee has been operating for three years now, according to Dr. David Soria who took over as chairman six months ago, succeeding Dr. Jeffrey Bishop, who is now chairman of the chamber’s board of directors. “I was part of the original board, and we developed the committee with about 10 multi-specialty providers, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and the like,” Soria said. “A nice variety of different practitioners represented the board, and the purpose of the committee was to serve as a means for the medical community to get together and network. It has done a fabulous job of that. The group grows every month when we have mixers.” The medical committee is an avenue for community members to get to know the physicians in the area, not only from the standpoint of selling to them a product but also to see what services the physicians offer, and what might be better suited for the medical needs of their families. Physicians can also learn about local medical professionals and service providers right in the community that they can benefit from. “They can serve my needs rather than go to Boca or Fort Lauderdale, which I ordinarily would,” he said. “I know I can keep it within the family here in the central Palm Beach County area.” The committee now seeks to expand further and get more of the community involved. “I want to start inviting other peers, get more and more physicians represented on the committee, and get more people shaking hands and getting to know each other,” said Soria, director of Emergency Medicine at Wellington Regional Medical Center. “The small microcosm of representatives that were there at meeting one showed a significant benefit to them, and I know it would show even more benefit if we multiplied the volume of attendees.” That goal reflects the chamber’s mission to encourage people to buy local. “That is clearly what it’s doing — a collection of local medical providers, getting together to share each other’s services,” he said.
Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Dr. Jeffrey Bishop with Dr. David Soria. Bishop started the chamber’s medical committee, which is currently chaired by Soria.
The medical mixers are more social than businesslike and no one is under pressure. “You can come and just check it out if you are in the medical profession, whether you are a member of the chamber or not, in the hopes that if you meet the right people, it provides you a benefit. Also, the chamber hopes that people will see a benefit and will become a member. As more and more providers in the area join the chamber, it becomes stronger and can provide a better service for everyone” Soria said. Although the meetings are informal, the committee has a meaningful purpose. “The members of the committee have a very serious goal, and that is to achieve the economic development opportunities through the networking of very bright minds offering great services to the community,” Soria concluded. Soria and his board have been meeting regularly to develop the committee’s next initiatives. Bishop said he is pleased that the medical committee has taken on the purpose he originally intended. “The purpose was to coordinate medical services amongst some of the business community and the physicians,” Bishop said. “It also gave these physicians an opportunity to mingle with each other without being under pressure from being at work and develop a more close camaraderie amongst the physicians in the community.” Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Education
Education
Higher Education Shines Focus On The Workforce Of Tomorrow By Chris Felker
Local institutions of higher education are partnering with Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce member businesses to create a more educated, highly skilled workforce. Unique programs range from state-of-the-art medical training dummies at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, to special curricula designed for career-oriented adults at Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Wellington learning center. Palm Beach State College Of the more than 100 training programs offered at Palm Beach State College, Jacqueline Rogers, dean of health sciences and public safety, said that there are more than a dozen programs in growing health-related fields. “We just received a $3 million Department of Labor grant to expand our health information technology program, which pertains to the recent legislation where electronic health records are going to be mandated,” she said. The Center of Excellence in Medical Simulation (COEMS), which Rogers founded more than a decade ago when she applied for a Department of Education grant to acquire a pediatric simulator, has just gotten a new, state-of-the-art, medical training dummy. “Mr. Sim would be very sad to hear you call him a dummy, though,” Rogers said. “He is anything but. He is a highly sophisticated,
physiologically appropriate, simulation. We call it high-fidelity simulation. It’s in a human torso, but he has onboard computers that operate his lungs, heart, circulation and all the physiologic responses that a real patient would have depending on what intervention is taken by a health science or public safety student.” Rogers has emphasized medical simulation for students in all of the health science disciplines since she became dean in 2004. “We got our first simulator in 2000 when I was a faculty member in respiratory care. I noticed that our students would have anxiety when they would go to take care of pediatric patients, because we didn’t see them that often,” she explained. “It elicited a fear in them, so I decided I wanted to go after some grant money to buy a pediatric simulator.” The result was her establishment of the COEMS, and over the years they’ve built a simulator family. “We recently acquired a new hi-fi simulator that is an adult male, but he has the ability to have wigs and other body parts that can be exchanged to make it as real for the student as possible, whether we want it to be a male patient or a female
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patient, or even an obstetric patient,” Rogers said. The COEMS, Rogers said, “supports all of our training programs that are at the associate degree level or the certificate level. Our bachelor of science in nursing students also use the center, so we have a wide range of students that we serve, also including dental students, dental assistant and dental hygiene students.” They’ve even run “collaborative simulations,” where a team of students from different disciplines work together as a team just as they would in a hospital setting. Plus, Mr. Sim is mobile and can be moved to various classrooms. One of Rogers’ main goals is to be sure students are ready for their clinical exams. “There’s nothing worse than having someone have such a fear about taking care of patients that they freeze,” she said. “I saw it many times when I was working in the hospital. This provides us a way to give them that training, but it also protects the patients, because we want people who have the knowledge, skills, training and attitudes to
(Top right) The Palm Beach State College main campus in Lake Worth. (Bottom right) Keiser University’s West Palm Beach campus is located on Vista Parkway.
be professionals, and that’s what they get before they leave this college.”
Keiser University “One of my favorite things about working here in Palm Beach County is that it’s a very collaborative county,” Keiser University Campus President Kimberly Lea said. “We work closely with not only the business sector but even with the other colleges and universities.” Keiser recently partnered with the chamber to support its Education Committee. “Some of the related things that we are working on overall at Keiser tie in very closely,” Lea said. “We are a career-oriented university, so our students, when they come in, have a pretty clear vision of what they’re going to major in and also, looking beyond that, where they’re going to work when they’re finished.” Keiser largely serves working adults who require flexibility, which the institution strives to provide. “Depending on the student, the context is different. Each of them comes with different experiences,” she said. “Many of our students are nontraditional, so they may be in their mid-20s, balancing families. They may not have direct work experience in the field tied to their major. So one of our goals is to make sure they get that experience.” Keiser must provide working opportuni-
ties for training in the real world, Lea said. “In the medical programs, obviously, all of the universities tie back to ‘externships,’ and that is, if you’re in nursing, obviously going to be a clinical,” she explained. “That’s an important element to making sure that you understand what it’s going to be like in the field.” In other fields of study where there is no required clinical component, Keiser works without outside partners, such as the chamber, to get students the experience they need, so that when they’re finished, not only
do they have a degree in hand, but they also have some real-life experience in that particular field. “We’ve done that through a lot of service learning opportunities, where the students will pick a cause or a project,” Lea explained. “One example is [that] the business students worked on a Wounded Warriors project, identified that they wanted to help veterans, researched different organizations here locally and contacted key people, and they came up with a specific fundraising project for them.”
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Education Fleming was appointed interim president in May 2011, and he was formally selected to be the private, nonprofit, Christian university’s eighth president in May 2012. “I was very honored by the board’s vote to select me,” he said. “Palm Beach Atlantic has an incredible mission that’s as vibrant today as it was 45 years ago when the university was founded, and we have momentum on our side.” Fleming is proud that Palm Beach Atlantic was the first college to offer higher education in the western communities when it opened its Wellington campus on State Road 7 just north of Wellington Regional Medical Center. “The programs offered there are designed and targeted for the working adults who want to upgrade their skill set, their personal skills as well as professional,” he said. “We have undergraduate and graduate programs there. They are targeted toward working adults who were, for one reason or another, unable to complete their degrees. This will help them move up in their current organization or to attain an enhanced job opportunity.” Palm Beach Atlantic University operates a satellite campus in the Wellington Reserve on State Road 7.
Lea explained that the university’s advisory board members visit the campus monthly to share ideas for projects that students can work on. “We tie very closely with our business partners, and we’ve really had some interesting outcomes from that, great partnerships and good connections that we’re very proud of,” she said. A typical Keiser nursing student might spend two days a week on campus, then one day in a simulation lab, and another day in some local healthcare setting. “We’ve partnered with all our local hospitals,” Lea said. “Our goal is to see that they have a wide variety of experiences… It gives them a great leg up on being able to secure the job they want when they graduate.”
Palm Beach Atlantic University Dr. William M.B. Fleming Jr. first joined Palm Beach Atlantic University in June of 1992 as vice president of development. In that role, Fleming was responsible for all external relations, including fundraising, marketing, communications and government affairs. At that time, Palm Beach Atlantic had only 1,500 students. “We have 3,700 students now,” Fleming said. “And over that time, we’ve raised somewhere around $120 million and built nine buildings.”
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Fleming touted the school’s leadership studies graduate program. “It is for students looking at upward mobility and career advancement in healthcare, human resources, banking and insurance, as well as in the nonprofit sector,” he explained, adding that Palm Beach Atlantic partnered with the chamber on several programs, including the Business Planning Academy, hosted at the school’s Wellington campus. Fleming said that the college emphasizes “experiential learning” and has extensive ties to the business community. “Our students are sought after as interns and parttime workers,” he said. “The demand from the business community almost exceeds our ability to supply. People understand that our students are advanced in their skill sets and understanding of technology, as well as highly ethical.”
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Education Fleming also pointed out the school’s new Rinker Athletic Campus under construction on Parker Avenue between Belvedere and Southern in West Palm Beach. “We’re hoping that project will reach completion by the end of 2013,” he said. “We have an NCAA Division II athletic program. We will have men’s and women’s soccer, lacrosse, tennis, baseball, softball and a full complement of intramural programs out there. We’re excited that all of those athletic playing fields and competition venues
will be ready to go for Sailfish athletics.” In addition, he noted that the university will be able to host a stronger camp program available for local children and youth during the holidays and summer vacation. “We are a great free-enterprise institution, and we believe that we are going to have a very strong and continually growing program in the western communities,” Fleming said. “We are delighted to have been the first area university committed to the western
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communities, and I think our programs will continue to expand.”
South University South University West Palm Beach Campus President David McGuire said his college has been able to add various levels of degrees from an associate’s degree to a doctoral degree — much of it accomplished through distance learning. “For us, distance learning is done in a particular classroom where our students are able to, in real time, observe and be taught by professors from all of the South University campuses, perhaps one in Savannah, Georgia, who is teaching both students there and here in real time,” McGuire said. “This allows us to really take advantage of some very talented professors who have a wide range of backgrounds, and we’re not just limited to only the faculty we have on the West Palm Beach campus.” These distance learning classes are very popular, he said, stressing how different they are from online courses. “It’s real time as if you were sitting in the classroom in Savannah. It is a classroom webinar. Our students enjoy it,” he said. “They can interact with other class members as well, both there and here. We have another facilitator on site, who is also a professor.” Although South University has been in Palm Beach County for more than 40 years, it recently moved to a new site at Belvedere Road and State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach. Moving from the previous location on Congress Avenue in West Palm Beach has given the school an added boost in visibility. “Enrollment is up, and certainly we believe that the demographics of Wellington/ Royal Palm Beach are very positive for us,” McGuire said. “The biggest impact has been our ability to control our own destiny as far as campus buildings. We’ve added a second, and we have a master plan with a third
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building approved, so in a very short time we would like to begin construction on that third building on this 10-acre site.” South University is situated at University Center, which it occupies in a partnership with the Rendina Companies, developers of the site. McGuire noted that the university’s average student is 27, dominated by women, largely because of its healthcare emphasis. “We’ve been known in the community for turning out bachelor’s-level nurses,” he said. “Within the last year, we’ve [also] offered a master’s degree in nursing — family nurse practitioner — which tends to be a very high-visibility, high-demand career field.” South University has strong business community ties. “Nearly all of the programs we offer do have an externship component, whether it be our paralegal program, where certainly a portion of their education involves working under the supervision of a licensed attorney, or nursing, which has clini-
South University recently moved to its new site at Belvedere Road and State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach.
cal rotations,” McGuire said. “They spend a little over 1,000 hours of their program in a hospital or medical clinical setting.” McGuire said South University targets its programs. “We continue to grow in iden-
tified high-demand career fields,” he said. “We think the future’s very bright for South University in this particular area, and we continue to grow in square footage, but also add new programs that we identify here in the South Florida area.”
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Education Higher Education Lincoln College of Technology/ Lincoln Culinary 2410 Metro Centre Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33407 (561) 656-6986 Northwood University 2600 N. Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33409 (561) 681-7929 Palm Beach Atlantic University 1047 State Road 7 Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 803-2012 Palm Beach State College 4200 Congress Ave. Lake Worth, FL 33461 (561) 868-4300 South University 9801 Belvedere Road Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 273-6356 Keiser University 2085 Vista Parkway West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 471-6000 Southeastern College 6812 Forest Hill Blvd., Suite D-1 Greenacres, FL 33413 (561) 433-2330
Private Schools American Heritage School of Boca/Delray 6200 Linton Blvd. Delray Beach, FL 33484 (561) 495-7272 Glades Day School 400 Gator Blvd. Belle Glade, FL 33430 (561) 996-6769 Greenacres Christian Academy 4982 Cambridge Street Lake Worth, FL 33463 (561) 965-0363 Home Away From Home Wellington Learning Center 111 Professional Way Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 791-8558 Ideal School 400 Royal Commerce Road Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 791-2881 KinderCare Learning Center 101 Heatherwood Drive Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 790-2908 Newbridge Prep 9120 Griffin Road Cooper City, FL 33328 (954) 533-2517
Oxbridge Academy of the Palm Beaches 3151 N. Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33409 (561) 972-9619
Cypress Trails Elementary School 133 Park Road North Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 904-9000
New Horizons Elementary School 13900 Greenbriar Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 651-0500
Palm Beach Maritime Museum & Academy 7719 S. Dixie Hwy. West Palm Beach, FL 33405 (561) 547-3775
Elbridge Gale Elementary School 1915 Royal Fern Drive Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 422-9300
Okeeheelee Middle School 2200 Pinehurst Drive West Palm Beach, FL 33413 (561) 434-3200
Planet Kids 9267 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561) 784-5619
Emerald Cove Middle School 9950 Stribling Way Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 803-8000
Osceola Creek Middle School 6775 180th Ave. North Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561) 422-2500
Saint Luke Catholic School 2896 South Congress Ave. Palm Springs, FL 33461 (561) 965-8190
Equestrian Trails Elementary School 9720 Stribling Way Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 904-9600
Palm Beach Central High School 8499 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33411 (561) 304-1000
St. Peter’s Child Enrichment Center Preschool 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 798-3286
Forest Hill High School 6901 Parker Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33405 (561) 540-2400
Panther Run Elementary School 10775 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33449 (561) 804-3900
The King’s Academy 8401 Belvedere Road West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 686-4244
Frontier Elementary School 6701 180th Avenue North Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561) 904-9900
Pierce Hammock Elementary School 14255 Hamlin Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561) 633-4500
Wellington Christian School 1000 Wellington Trace Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 793-1017
Golden Grove Elementary School 5959 140th Avenue North West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 904-9700
Polo Park Middle School 11901 Lake Worth Road Wellington, FL 33449 (561) 333-5500
Greenacres Elementary School 405 Jackson Avenue Greenacres, FL 33463 (561) 649-7200
Royal Palm Beach Elementary School 11911 Okeechobee Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 633-4400
H.L. Johnson Elementary School 1000 Crestwood Blvd. North Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 904-9300
Royal Palm Beach High School 10600 Okeechobee Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 753-4000
Indian Ridge School 1955 Golden Lakes Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 681-0000
Seminole Ridge High School 4601 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561) 422-2600
John I. Leonard High School 4701 10th Avenue North Greenacres, FL 33463 (561) 641-1200
Tradewinds Middle School 5090 South Haverhill Road Greenacres, FL 33463 (561) 493-6420
Lake Worth High School 1701 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, Fl 33460 (561) 533-6300
Wellington Elementary School 13000 Paddock Drive Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 651-0600
Lawrence Carter Swain Middle School 5332 Lake Worth Road Greenacres, FL 33463 (561) 649-6900
Wellington High School 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 795-4900
Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School 16020 Okeechobee Blvd. Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470 (561) 904-9200
Wellington Landings Middle School 1100 Aero Club Drive Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 792-8100
Manatee Elementary School 7001 Charleston Shores Blvd. Lake Worth, FL 33467 (561) 357-1800
Western Pines Middle School 5949 140th Avenue North West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 792-2500
Charter Schools Mavericks High School of Palm Beach County 3525 South Congress Ave. Palm Springs, FL 33461 (561) 623-6935 Western Academy Charter School 650 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Suite 300 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 792-4123
Public Schools Acreage Pines Elementary School 14200 Orange Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561) 904-9500 Benoist Farms Elementary School 1765 Benoist Farms Road West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 383-9700 Binks Forest Elementary School 15101 Bent Creek Road Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 904-9800 Cholee Lake Elementary School 6680 Dillman Road Greenacres, FL 33413 (561) 383-9600 Crestwood Middle School 64 Sparrow Drive Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 753-5000
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Education Education Committee Helping Students Go To College, Find A Job By Chris Felker Eric Gordon is working hard to put into motion the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce’s vision of how to assist students in fulfilling their dreams while simultaneously helping member businesses find their next generation of workers. It’s a quest that Gordon is really enthusiastic about, but the help of all chamber members is crucial, he said, in making the Education Committee’s goals a reality. Two projects are at the top of the list for Gordon, the chamber’s vice chairman for education. “We want to help our students reach their goal of higher education,” he said, “and we understand that the schools, which do a tremendous job, need our support.” Gordon has been working with Palm Beach County School District Superintendent Wayne Gent, District 6 School Board Member Marcia Andrews, area superintendents and other district staff, as well as with municipal officials and school-based officials, to provide a series of college planning workshops for students and, more importantly, their parents. Gordon said these workshops will provide information that parents need to know but don’t normally get. “Information that will help them and show them that you can afford college, no matter how much you make or what kind of college,” he said. “And it will help them with what students need to do and know when they’re going through the admissions process.” He noted that chamber member College Planning Masters is a big supporter of the committee’s work. “So, we work with them to go out and do these free workshops out in the schools and communities,” Gordon said. “So many people think they can’t afford college, and we’re trying to show them that there are ways to go. We’re very excited about that.” The second prong of the chamber’s project is establishing an internship opportunity bank. Gordon explained that many students today “don’t really know how to interview, don’t know the process and don’t know how to put a résumé together. Many have never experienced the process, so they lack that skill.” Therefore, Gordon and his committee plan to survey businesses as to their potential to provide internships for students who want to try out actual work capacities in their fields of interest. “We’ve al-
Eric Gordon, vice chairman of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee.
ready got Palms West Hospital helping us test that out with a couple of interns there, and I’ve been talking to many different businesses who are willing to work with us,” he said, noting that the chamber itself has two interns on the job. The end goal is to start listing all the opportunities available. “There are many businesses that would like to have interns, but they don’t know how to get to them,” Gordon said. “And there are many students who would like such opportunities. The school district has a tremendous amount of internships.” The aim will be to stage an “internship fair” in the spring, sort of a job fair for high school and college students where, Gordon explained, “we can have 30 or 40 businesses come into a room and have the students actually go through the process like they were going to a job fair — bring résumés, dress properly, meet these businesses that are interested in bringing on interns, let them interview, maybe bring them back to their place of business. And we’ll do breakout sessions for résumé, interviewing and even how to dress.” The goal is to not only generate internships, but show students that there are job opportunities for them in central Palm Beach County. For more information about either of these initiatives, or other chamber education projects, e-mail mariela@cpbchamber.com or call (561)790-6200. Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Shopping
Shopping
Central Palm Beach County Offers A Wide Array Of Shopping Experiences By Deborah Welky
Those of us who live in central Palm Beach County year-round may not realize it, but people travel thousands of miles to shop here. The sunny skies and gently lapping waves make the trip worth it, but what keeps many visitors coming back are the shopping opportunities, superb restaurants and stellar entertainment options. A Trip To The Mall The Mall at Wellington Green has been a popular shopping destination ever since it opened in 2001. Its upscale department stores, intriguing boutiques and pleasant surroundings encourage shoppers to spend the day. With plenty of places to eat and a bright and inviting children’s play area that offers parents the chance for a break, that’s easy to do. “The Mall at Wellington Green has developed a reputation for providing a quality shopping and dining experience,” said the mall’s general manager, Dorian Zimmer Bordenave. “We offer a variety of shops and restaurants that are nationally recognized, such as Love Culture, Pandora, Banana Republic and California Pizza Kitchen; as well as others that are locally owned and operated, such as Golf Emporium, Perfect Oil and Eyes of Wellington.” “We cater to the strong, family-oriented communities surrounding the mall by offering amenities such as our indoor play area and MallStars Kids Club,” said Rachelle Crain, marketing and sponsorship director.
“Additionally, our holiday Ice Palace display has become a family tradition, which includes the opportunity to visit with Santa.”
Call the mall’s shopping line at (561) 2276900 or visit www.shopwellingtongreen. com for details.
The MallStars Kids Club is a free club for children from 2 to 10 years old. Events take place throughout the year with live entertainment and special offers from stores.
A Day In Downtown Lake Worth
“Over the past year, many mall retailers have chosen to remodel, expand or rebrand their presence in the Mall at Wellington Green,” Bordenave added. “For instance, XXI Forever did a complete store remodel; Victoria’s Secret remodeled and expanded their store; and Justice remodeled and expanded in a new location. In addition, we are able to provide businesses with marketing opportunities customized to present their products and services to the millions of shoppers who visit the mall annually. Our national leasing team is actively pursuing new and innovative store concepts, and we look forward to announcing several exciting new stores in 2013.”
For those who like to add a stroll in the fresh air to their shopping experience, there’s the historic, bustling downtown Lake Worth. Take time to explore every shop, then relax with some patio dining. Or cross the bridge and enjoy dusk on the beach.
The Mall at Wellington Green is located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., at the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and State Road 7.
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Downtown Lake Worth has a great variety of retail offerings. For example, Art Shop has been supplying both professional and amateur artists with the tools of their trade for decades, as well as framing their finished work. Owner Bruce Webber is one of the few framers in the Palm Beaches who understands the challenges involved in framing needlepoint pieces. Art sales, appraisals and restoration are also available through the Webber Gallery at 705 Lucerne Ave. Be sure to visit, whether you’re covering a wall with art or simply looking for that perfect
piece to hang above the sofa. For details, visit www.webbergallery.com or call (561) 582-1045. Chafin Musicenter has long been serving the needs of musicians. When Paul Chafin opened it in 1956, his vision was “to bring the gift of music to all,” and he did just that. His family and their musically educated staff continue the tradition, selling, renting and servicing pianos, band instruments and strings. Looking for a particular melody? Their collection of sheet music is the largest in South Florida. Visit the store at 608 Dixie Hwy. or go online at www.chafinmusic. com. For more information, call (561) 5854641. Are antiques your passion? Jackpot Trea-
sures takes pride in seeking out that particular item you need to complete your collection. With its experienced sales staff, partnerships with eBay and Amazon, and “web catalog” of antiques and collectables, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. Jackpot Treasures can be found at 1014 Lake Ave. For more info., call (561) 588-2222 or visit www.jackpot-treasures-and-collectables. com. John A. Rooney Imports is your source for all things India. Whether your roots are in that country or you merely appreciate the aesthetic of wispy, flowing clothing, softly tinkling silver bells and hammered brass, you will want to visit 508 Lake Ave. Rooney specializes in hand-picked and hand-crafted imports with a wide selection of hand-
carved and hand-painted exotic Indian furniture, colorful clothing and a line of jewelry that includes silver, semi-precious stonework and beads from India and Central America. Looking for something in particular? Call (561) 585-4588 for info. When your walk takes you to the bright pink-and-blue building at 515 Lake Ave., be sure to duck inside for new and vintage merchandise that’s fun as well as fabulous. Trinkets & Treasures features skater swag, handcrafted jewelry, cool handbags, unusual gifts and funky T-shirts. It offers an exciting collection of handmade items, vintage and new merchandise and is a fun place to shop. Call (561) 373-4674 for info. Also, Trinkets & Treasures is associated with Lake Worth Arts (www.lakewortharts.com).
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Shopping In your travels, be sure to stop by the Bamboo Room at 25 South J St. for an awesome cocktail and great blues music. Its bamboo-clad walls make the Bamboo Room a unique space inside the Paradise building, designed in 1923 by Addison Mizner architect G. Sherman Childs. With the accent where it should be — on the music — the Bamboo Room offers hot licks, cool refreshments and a welcoming vibe. Its bartenders view mixology as one of the culinary arts, and your drink will reflect that, poured into 1930s Art Deco-style glasses and served up on a copper bar. To see which of your favorite blues artists are next on the schedule, visit www.bamboorm.com, call (561) 585BLUE or look them up at www.eventbrite. com. For the inevitable headache that follows a day packed with so much excitement, there’s
good ol’ Tru Valu Drugs with its ready supply of aspirin and other assorted sundries. Located at 101 N. Federal Hwy. at Lucerne, Lake Worth’s Tru-Valu contains a full pharmacy and a ready supply of over-the-counter remedies. It also carries paperbacks and magazines for the ride home; toys and games for the beach; postcards and stationery to reconnect with those you left behind; and just about everything else you can imagine. Call (561) 585-4677 for more info.
Antique Shopping On Dixie Highway For shoppers who prefer to embrace the past, Faustina Pace Antiques at 3633 S. Dixie Hwy. in West Palm Beach, combines a tasteful mélange of 19th- and 20th-century furniture and decorative objects with an ac-
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cent on French textiles, Swedish furniture, Belgian accessories, garden accents and the latest trend in historic decorating — the French industrial look. Call (561) 804-6682 or visit www.faustinapace.com. Pace is also president of the South Dixie Antique Row Association (www.westpalmbeachantiques.com), a group of 40 unique shops offering an impressive selection of 17th- to 20th-century antiques, fine and decorative arts, period deco and modern furnishings, lighting, accessories and much more. Within walking distance, shoppers can also visit a vast array of specialty shops, art galleries and several award-winning restaurants. Architectural Digest, The New York Times, Art & Antiques and House Beautiful all have heralded Antique Row as one of the East Coast’s
premier antique shopping districts, considered the “antique design center” of Florida. The West Palm Beach Antique Row Art & Design District is where the world’s best interior designers, style-makers and collectors have been shopping for more than 30 years.
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“What really sets us apart is the quality of dealers that we consistently have in one exclusive area,” Pace said. “Because of our reputation, we have many who relocate here from other areas of the country. Dealers whom I know are always asking if there are any spaces available along Dixie Highway.” To that end, more space is coming. In 2013, construction will begin on the Villas of Antique Row, a group of townhomes with storefronts on the first floor. “We are very excited about that,” Pace said. “It will bring still more business and jobs to the area.” Another exciting new offering will be an online antiques store linked to www.westpalmbeachantiques.com for those who prefer to shop at home or while traveling. Speaking of traveling, Pace points out that nearly every antiques shop along Dixie Highway is open throughout the summer. The South Dixie Antique Row shops include: D&G Antiques, Todd Alexander Design, Prima Antiques & Gallery, Riccardo Boehm Vintage 20th Century, L&G Antiques, Hawkins Antiques USA, White Lotus Collection, Timeless Antiques/Gallery, Objects in the Loft/Objects 20C, James & Jeffrey Antiques Pavilion, Donovan & Gray, Coco House & Company, Decorations of Palm Beach, Faustina Pace Antiques & Interiors, Dolce Antiques, Revue, Devonia Antiques for Dining, Kevin L. Perry, Wardall Antiques & Decorations, Cashmere Buffalo, James & Jeffrey Antiques Showroom, J&M Antiques, Wilson Antiques, Brass Scale Antiques, Jeffrey-Marie Antiques, Diamond Antique Oriental Rugs, Hillcrest Collections, Lars Bolander, Christa’s South Antiques and Sea Shells, the Elephant’s Foot, Greta S. Decorative Antiques, Scandinavian Antiques & Living, Mecox and Gary Rubinstein Antiques.
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Culture Culture
Hidden Cultural Gems Abound In Central Palm Beach County By Deborah Welky
From the island of Palm Beach south to Boca Raton and north beyond Palm Beach Gardens, it’s hard to beat the entertainment choices here in Palm Beach County. There’s music, dance, theater, visual arts and much more. Yet even if you live here, you might not know of the area’s many hidden cultural gems. If you’ve never traveled west far enough to reach the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center (1977 Southwest College Drive, Belle Glade), you’ve done yourself a disservice. Located on Palm Beach State College’s Belle Glade campus, the theatre seats 466 patrons. In addition to offering its own performances, it is available for rental for performances, recitals, graduations, seminars and more. This intimate venue features state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, ticketing software and an electronic sign at the main campus entrance. Looking to host an event? There is a commercial catering kitchen and a Grand Hall that can comfortably accommodate over 200 dinner guests. The spacious Grand Hall often plays home to visual art exhibits as well. Offering a wide variety of professional shows at truly affordable prices, Dolly Hand has once again outdone itself with this year’s schedule. On Jan. 8, “The Great American Songbook” took audience members on a trip through time with memorable song-anddance numbers. Flamenco dancing was the spotlight for the Jan. 24 show featuring the Juan Siddi Flamenco Theatre Company.
February offerings include the gospel music of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound and Cirque Zuma Zuma, followed by the immensely popular off-Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof taking place Feb. 25. On March 12, “Rave On: The Buddy Holly Experience” pays homage to a crooner who died too young, while the Neil Simon classic play Biloxi Blues is on tap for March 25. In April, “TAP: The Show” will kick things off April 16, followed the next night with “The U.S. Army Field Band: The Volunteers.” On May 4, the Missoula Children’s Theater presents The Wizard of Oz, and on May 10, Choreographer Shanique Scott showcases the youth she is training in “Street Beat Inc.” Dolly Hand Director Leigh Woodham said ticket sales are up significantly. “By late November, Cirque Zuma Zuma was already sold out,” she said. “That’s real exciting. And our off-Broadway show, Fiddler on the Roof, just completed its national tour. It is coming straight from the larger performing arts centers to our little theater with the exact same sets and costumes.” Call (561) 993-1160 or visit www.dolly hand.org to have them save a seat for you.
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Right in the heart of Palm Beach County is LiveNation’s Cruzan Amphitheatre. This open air music venue can seat 19,000 people. The views at the amphitheatre during the day and night are amazing. The venue has seen some major events and concerts by performers such as Curiosa, Lilith Fair, the Buzz Bake Sale, the Mayhem Festival, Projekt Revolution, the Gigantour, Ozzfest, the Vans Wraped Tour, Lady Antebellum and more. The amphitheatre is popular among music lovers as it offers amazing acoustics and also has plenty of food and drink choices. Cruzan is offering three Billboard-topping artists in 2013. On Feb. 23, the Zac Brown Band will perform a slew of its hits, including many from the top-selling album Uncaged. The title is appropriate, as the Zac Brown Band is an amalgamation of traditional country, Southern rock, Caribbean rhythms, reggae, bluegrass, rhythm & blues and even a bit of unleashed jam. On March 15, Chris Tomlin will take the Cruzan stage together with Kari Jobe and his pastor Louie Giglio as part of his “Burning Lights Tour.” A worship leader, singer, songwriter and ardent activist, Tomlin’s unique gospel sound on the album See the
(Right, top to bottom) The Lake Worth Playhouse is a cultural mecca in downtown Lake Worth; the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center brings wonderful shows and special events to Belle Glade; and Joe Piconcelli, manager of the Wellington Amphitheater, has big plans for the facility.
Photo By Robert Stolpe
Morning helped it rise to No. 1 on the Christian Billboard charts. Country singer (and TV’s American Idol judge) Keith Urban is riding into town Oct. 5, bringing his own brand of American style to Cruzan. A little bit country and a little bit rock ’n’ roll, Urban’s romantic lyrics and flawless guitar work have established him as more than just a pretty face. LiveNation’s Cruzan Amphitheatre is located next to the South Florida Fairgrounds at 601 Sansbury’s Way. Call (800) 745-3000 for ticket information.
For rollicking good shows in a historic venue that can’t be beat, there’s the Lake Worth Playhouse (713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth). The Lake Worth Playhouse is a nonprofit community theatre that provides entertainment, education and opportunities for artistic expression.
Photo By Susan Lerner
The Lake Worth Playhouse occupies the former Oakley Theatre, the oldest building on the register of the Art Deco Society of Palm Beach County. It was constructed by Lucien and Clarence Oakley, two brothers who came to South Florida from Illinois on the wave of a movie mania sweeping the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Culture country in the early 1920s. Their dream was to build a movie palace and vaudeville house. The devastating hurricane of 1928 ripped through the area, virtually demolishing the Oakley Theatre, but the tenacious brothers quickly rebuilt. Their dreams were ultimately dashed when the full weight of the Great Depression struck South Florida. If you’re attending a show and feel a sudden cool draft or hear a squeak behind you, don’t be surprised. The building is allegedly haunted by the ghosts of the Oakley brothers. Over the next decades, the theatre changed names and ownership many times. In 1953, the Lake Worth Playhouse was incorporated by a group of Lake Worth citizens, first producing shows in the auditorium of the old Lake Worth City Hall. In 1975, the Lake Worth Playhouse purchased the Oakley Theatre building and began much-needed renovations.
Today, the playhouse is proud to offer a variety of mainstream and alternative programming, both live and on film, for audiences of all ages. Shows in 2013 include The Drowsy Chaperone Jan. 17 – Feb. 3, The Foreigner Feb. 28 – March 17 and Barnum: The Big Top Musical April 11 – 28, along with a wide array of limited engagement events. Stop by the box office, call (561) 586-6410 or visit www.lakeworthplayhouse.org for information and reservations.
The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.), one of the area’s newest cultural venues, has been rapidly growing in popularity. The amphitheater is a 3,200-square-foot facility located adjacent to Scott’s Place playground. The facility includes a state-of-theart sound and lighting system for events such as concerts, plays, school functions and
movie nights. The amphitheater opened in 2010, funded by a Palm Beach County grant. It can accommodate up to 1,500 patrons. If you like tribute bands, the Wellington Amphitheater has them. Cultural Programs & Facility Manager Joe Piconcelli has put together a 2013 season lineup that includes a wide array of tribute bands. As always, spectator admission is free to residents and nonresidents alike. The tribute band series kicked off in January with Journey tribute band Odyssey Road and the folk group Gathering Time. February brings the return of the Wellington Idol competition. Auditions will be held Feb. 15-16, with the semifinals on Feb. 22 and the crowning of Wellington Idol 2013 on Feb. 23. In March, the Rocket Man group sings a tribute to Elton John on March 9. March will culminate with the first Tribute Music & Food Truck Festival at the amphitheater March 22-23. The festival will feature a weekend of popular food trucks paired with great music. Guests are invited to enjoy dinner from 5 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday accompanied by Neil Diamond and Eagles tribute concerts on the stage. The next day, Viva’s classic rock tribute, a Billy Joel tribute and a Journey tribute will be on stage as attendees enjoy the food trucks for lunch or dinner.
A & G Management Services We provide residential property management services to condominiums, homeowners associations and residences. 11360 Fortune Circle, Suite E-6a • Wellington, FL , 33414 ph: 561-795-3182 • fax: 561-795-0272
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In April, the Beach Boys tribute band Summer Days will perform April 13, and Livin’ on a Prayer will present a tribute to Journey and Bon Jovi on April 27. In addition, there are regular movie nights, the weekly Food Truck Invasion from 5 to 9 p.m. every Thursday night and the Wellington Green Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through May. For additional information on any of the events, visit www. wellingtonfl.gov or call Piconcelli at (561) 791-4756.
Restaurants A Bronx Tale 121 South 3rd Street, Lantana, FL 33462 (561) 202-9111
Cottage Garden Teas 1334 Niantic Terrace Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 797-6263
McKenna’s Place 5283 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33464 (561) 357-5100
Tasty Image 6390 W. Indiantown Rd, Suite 54 Jupiter, FL 33458 (561) 745-9974
Alabama Joe’s Front Row Sports Theater & Grille 6316 Lantana Road, Suite 45 Lake Worth, FL 33463 (561) 963-3393
Dave’s Last Resort 521 Lake Avenue Lake Worth, Fl 33460 (561) 588-5208
Mike and Mike 3801 10th Ave. North Lake Worth, FL 33461 (561) 899-3772
Taylor Made Café, Inc. 12160 South Shore Blvd., Suite 105 Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 729-0441
DiSalvo’s Trattoria 1760 N. Jog Road, Suite 180 West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 275-7000
Moe’s Southwest Grill 2605 State Road 7 Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 792-5712
TCBY - The Country’s Best Yogurt 13860-43 Wellington Trace Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 366-7725
Domino’s Pizza - RPB 10200 Fox Trail Road, Suite D Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 793-1166
Moran’s Italian Burger Bistro 2107 10th Ave North Lake Worth, FL 33467 (561) 318-5048
TGI Fridays 580 North State Road 7 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 795-8955
Domino’s Pizza - Wellington 12769-B W. Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 798-6744
Mulligan’s Beach House 300 Colorodo Ave., Suite 204 Stuart, FL 34994 (772) 600-7377
The Cottage 522 Lucerne Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 586-0080
Don Ramon Restaurant 7101 South Dixie Hwy. West Palm Beach, FL 33405 (561) 547-8704
Old Key Lime House 300 E. Ocean Ave. Lantana, FL 33462 (561) 582-1889
The Diner of Palm Beach 12041 Southern Blvd., Unit 3 Loxahatchee, FL 33470 (561) 795-6695
Dough Bro’s Inc. 195 Sunflower Circle Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 308-6677
Outback Steakhouse 11101 Southern Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 795-6663
The Gourmet Deli House 7117 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33467 (561) 965-1605
El Toro Restaurant 675 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 296-7102
Panera Bread - Wellington 10540 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 333-1330
Foster’s Grille 11071 Southern Blvd., Suite 100 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 333-6720
Pizzano’s Pizza 601 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Royal Pallm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 790-2345
The Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 20 Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 333-3700
Francesca’s Pizza & Restaurant 11452 Okeechobee Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 422-0600
Players Club Restaurant 13410 South Shore Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 795-0080
Franco Italian Bistro 10160 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 615-1551
Pollo Tropical 7300 N Kendall Dr., 8th Floor Miami, FL 33156 (305) 670-7696
Graffito South 3401 Equestrian Club Road Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 333-1150
Rooney’s All-In Sports Bar & Grille 6901 Okeechobee Blvd., Suite B-1 West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 833-7802
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza 1000 S. State Road 7, Suite 3 Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 615-1255 Benny’s On The Beach 10 Ocean Ave. Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 582-9001 Benvenuto Restaurant 1730 N. Federal Hwy. Boynton Beach, FL 33435 (561) 364-0600 Bimini Twist 8480 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 784-2660 Blue Martini 550 S. Rosemary Ave. West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 835-8601 Boston Market 12792 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Wellington, FL 33414 (954) 494-7838 Brian Boru’s Sports Bar Grill 7201 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33467 (561) 969-3032 Buca Di Beppo 2025 Wellington Green Drive Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 790-3287 Café Cellini 2505 South Ocean Blvd. Palm Beach, FL 33480 (561) 588-1871 Café Toscano 2635 Old Okeechobee Road West Palm Beach, FL 33409 (561) 951-2550 Carrabba’s Italian Grill 11141 Southern Boulevard Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 793-9980 Carving Station Buffet 6418 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33463 (561) 963-4170
Hurricane Grill & Wings 4075 S. State Road 7 Wellington, FL 33449 (561) 318-6107 I’m Greek Today 11051 Southern Blvd., Suite 210 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 333-4233
Tijuana Flats 13860 Wellington Trace Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 784-5554 Tokyo Peking Japanese Hibachi Buffet 1172 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 383-8575 Toojay’s Original Gourmet Deli 419 Lake Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 582-8684 Totally Awesome Subs Inc. 6145 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33463 (561) 275-1818
Saito Bangkok 15 North J St. Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 588-1785
Totally Twisted Gourmet Grille P.O. Box 243026 Boynton Beach, FL 33424 (561) 843-8384
South Shores Tavern & Patio Bar 502 Lucerne Avenue Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 547-7656
Tree’s Wings & Ribs 603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 791-1535
Casa De Mara 1132 North Dixie Hwy. Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 791-6248
JJ Muggs Stadium Grill Abacoa Town Center 1203 Town Center Drive Jupiter, FL 33458 (561) 630-9669
Starbucks Coffee Company - Greenacres 3991 Jog Road Greenacres, FL 33467 (561) 439-5478
Yogurbella 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 244 Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 753-8669
Chick-fil-A -Mall at Wellington Green 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite FC108 Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 333-4242
Mama Jugs Inc. 331 North B Street Lake Worth, FL 33460 (561) 588-4111
Starbucks Coffee Company - RPB 11081 Southern Blvd., Suite 100 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 333-2161
Yogurt Isle 13873 Wellington Trace, Suite B1 Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 249-0649
Chowder Heads - Benefit Sales LLC 6248 Robinson Street Jupiter, FL 33458 (561) 201-2828
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant 6659 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33467 (561) 969-6994
Tacos Al Carbon 4420 Lake Worth Road Lake Worth, FL 33461 (561) 432-8474 Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Equestrian
Equestrian
Central Palm Beach County Known As The Nation’s Winter Equestrian Capital By Lauren Miró
When it comes to equestrian sports, central Palm Beach County offers plenty of opportunities for horse lovers. From world-class shows to backyard ponies, there is a rich, diverse equestrian culture that sets the area apart. Equestrianism is one of the area’s top economic endeavors. Although there is equestrian activity year-round, the area comes to life from November through April during the height of the winter season. It is then that you can expect to see top players, riders and competitors who make central Palm Beach County their home. The competition heats up too, with local venues offering world-class shows as well as smaller competitions. Perhaps the most well-known equestrian community is Wellington. Dubbed the “winter equestrian capital of the world,” Wellington has played host to some of the most famous and talented names in the industry. For decades, Wellington has been the winter home of the sport of polo, bringing thousands of players and spectators to its sprawling fields. The community was put on the map more than 25 years ago when Prince Charles came to play polo at the iconic Palm Beach Polo stadium.
tors can learn more or purchase tickets online at www.internationalpoloclub.com. Just east of Wellington is another polo facility, the Gulfstream Polo Club, which offers competitive polo in a relaxed atmosphere. The facility offers low- and medium-goal polo matches. Games are typically played on Fridays and Saturdays, and admission is free. For more information, visit www.gulfstream polo.com. Wellington is also home to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, where top hunters and show jumpers come from all over the world to compete in the Winter Equestrian Festival. The 500-acre facility has played host to the selection trials for the U.S. Olympic Equestrian Team, and many other prestigious competitions. But it’s not just Olympic-caliber athletes that take to the ring; the venue offers top-
High-goal polo matches can currently be found at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, where more than 20 teams will vie for titles in the high-goal polo season. The club hosts prestigious competitions such as the Joe Barry Memorial Club and the Ylvisaker Cup, all culminating with a fierce bid to take home the United States Polo Association’s U.S. Open title. High-goal polo matches are played every Sunday at the facility. The season kicks off in January and wraps up in April, and specta76 |2013| Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide
tier competition for almost all levels of riders, from children on ponies up to worldrenowned jumpers. The venue has made strides to make the sport more accessible to the public, offering family-friendly events each week of season. Saturday Night Lights, put on nearly every Saturday in season, features exhilarating show-jumping competition in a festive environment, with everything from bounce houses and petting zoos for the kids, as well as an exciting round of competition with music, lights and more. The PBIEC also plays host to the Great Charity Challenge each year, which pairs top riders with a Palm Beach County charity and puts them in the ring to battle for more than $1 million in prize money. The money is divided among the charities, and serves as a way for the equestrian community to give back to the county. Photo by JASON MYERS/Lila Photo
Though the venue puts on shows beginning in September, WEF kicks off in January and runs through March. For more information, visit www.equestriansport.com. Just down the road is a new world-class facility and the home of the Global Dressage Festival. Equestrian Village, as it’s called, is located on the site of the former Palm Beach Polo Stadium and considered an extension of PBIEC. The iconic property is the gateway to Wellington’s equestrian community, and the new hot spot for dressage competition. Beginning in December, the site boasts top-level dressage shows with more than $275,000 in prize money to be won in five international competitions. For information, visit www.globaldressagefestival.com. Dressage is also the highlight of the winter season at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. Located just east of Wellington on Forest Hill Blvd., the Palm Beach Countyowned show grounds is the site of Wellington Classic Dressage and the World Dressage Masters. Held Jan. 23-27, the 2013 World Dressage Masters brings Olympic-caliber athletes to compete in the five-star show for $550,000 in prize money. The elite, internationally-renowned event draws more than 10,000 spectators and competitors in for the four-
day show. For more information, visit www. wellingtonclassicdressage.com. But the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center also hosts equestrian events year-round. These include the Palm Beach County Mounted Posse shows, held monthly. There are shows for hunter, jumper, dressage, pleasure and barrel racers, and serve as a way for new riders to get their feet wet or as a friendly competition for those more experienced. The popular show brings in competitors from throughout the community. For a list of shows, visit www.pbcposse.com. The venue also offers more than 15 miles of trails, as well as open rings, stables and other amenities that are available to the public. Visit www.pbcgov.com for more information. Head north and you’ll find yourself in The Acreage, a community where backyard barns are the lifeblood of the area, and horseback is considered a mode of transportation. At the heart of The Acreage horse community is Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park, a recreational facility run by the Indian Trail Improvement District with arenas and room for riders of all disciplines. The park is used by the Acreage Horseman’s Association, which offers showing opportu-
nities, group lessons and other opportunities to bring horse lovers together. The association hosts barrel and pleasure shows, as well as Paso Fino series. The show season kicks off each September, and dates can be found at www.acreagehorseman.com. Membership in the association is $20 a year or $30 for a family. In the western parts of the region is White Fences community, offering several dressage shows throughout the season. The tight-knit community has opened its facilities to the public, drawing in spectators and competitors from across the community. The show season kicks off in December and runs through April. The community’s equestrian center is now known as International Horse Sport Palm Beach and features the IHS Champions Park at Equestrian Estates, site of the Palm Beach Dressage Derby and IHS Series Shows. For more information, visit www.ihspb.com. No matter your interest or skill level, when it comes to equestrian sport, central Palm Beach County takes the cake for offering a diverse variety of events and opportunities to get involved in the horse world. More information on equestrian events and venues can be found at www.cpbchamber.com, including information on the chamber’s growing Equestrian Committee.
(Left to right) Polo action at the International Polo Club Palm Beach; dressage at Palm Beach County’s Jim Brandon Equestrian Center; and show jumping at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
Photo By Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com
Photo By Alfab Photography Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce guide |2013|
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Economic Development Economic Development Brings Jobs And Opportunity To Central Palm Beach County Story by Lauren Miró
Photos by Ron Bukley
Central Palm Beach County is thriving with economic development both underway and planned that is not only revitalizing old, beloved projects but also bringing new business and opportunity into the community. Though the communities are unique in their own endeavors, all are seeing a boost to the local economy brought on by important developments. Last year, Royal Palm Beach wooed grocery chain Aldi to open a distribution center that will bring an economic boost to the area, while Loxahatchee Groves secured a deal to bring a new campus of Palm Beach State College to the town. Meanwhile, the City of Lake Worth revitalized one of its most treasured facilities, its iconic beachfront and casino building that will help boost tourism and the city’s economy. The year also brought good news for residents of The Acreage when a planned extension of State Road 7 to Northlake Blvd. got
support from local and state agencies. The extension would allow for greater commerce between northern Palm Beach County and central Palm Beach County. Aldi Distribution Center — The area is expected to see a boost in business as grocery chain Aldi comes to South Florida, opening up its popular stores in once-vacant storefronts throughout the county. But Royal Palm Beach won out against several other sites when Aldi decided to build and open an 800,000-square-foot distribution center off State Road 7. “It was an undeveloped piece of property that will bring much more to the table once developed,” RPB Village Manager Ray Liggins said. “It will be the regional office for the southeast and will provide some good jobs.” Aldi plans to create more than 100 jobs with an average salary of about $46,000,
Officials hope the preservation and renovation of the historic Lake Worth Municipal Casino Building will attract business to the area.
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and Business Development Board President Kelly Smallridge noted it will create an additional 200 construction jobs. Liggins said that with the purchase of the land and the construction projects, there is about a $53 million impact. The Business Development Board spent more than a year working with Royal Palm Beach and Aldi to cement the deal. Smallridge noted that the company was attracted to the area because of its available land, proximity to major transportation arteries like I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike, and the willingness of the government to work with the BDB. “Another major impact is the amount of money the company will spend in the local community,” Smallridge said. “They will advertise and have purchasing power that will be very large and significant. It will impact local retail in close proximity.”
(Above) Officials gather at the December 2011 announcement heralding Aldi’s arrival in Royal Palm Beach. (L-R) RPB Councilman Richard Valuntas, RPB Councilwoman Martha Webster, Aldi National Warehouse Coordinator Brian McGee, Business Development Board President Kelly Smallridge, RPB Mayor Matty Mattioli, Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santamaria and RPB Vice Mayor Fred Pinto.
But Smallridge said the project will have a far-reaching effect that will benefit the area. “It sends a clear message that the area, specifically Royal Palm Beach, is open for business,” she said. “It has already enticed other similar types of businesses to look at the area.” College Campus — Businesses may continue to be attracted to the area with Loxahatchee Groves being chosen as the location for Palm Beach State College’s fifth campus. The 75-acre site on Southern Blvd., once known as the Simon property, will serve thousands of students in the county’s central and western corridor. The college plans to start by building a 40,000-square-foot building for offices and classrooms on a campus that is projected to take decades to fully build out. Addition-
ally, a 91,000-square-foot shopping plaza is planned for an adjacent 22-acre site. The shopping plaza would help serve the college as well as neighboring residents. PBSC President Dr. Dennis Gallon said the college chose the Loxahatchee Groves site because of its central location on Southern Blvd. “We did a feasibility study,” he said. “We wanted to know if there was an unmet need for us in the county. The study clearly demonstrated that individuals living in the central corridor of Palm Beach County — those are the residents most underserved by our institution.” The facility will be an opportunity for partnership between the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, as well as an incentive for businesses to come to the greater area. “Whenever you look at some of those factors that make a community an attractive place for businesses
to locate and relocate, having an educational institution is always a plus,” Gallon said. “It will have a tremendous impact on the community. It will bring jobs, because you will have individuals who work in the institution that need to work in proximity.” At the same time, Gallon said it is important for the college to be sensitive to the unique makeup of the community. “We believe it is critical for us to be good neighbors of the community,” he said. “We understand the values of the community. We will be working with the community, and the architecture of the facility will reflect its values.” Currently the project is hoping to get construction underway this year. Lake Work Casino — While some municipalities are anticipating new construction, Lake Worth is reinvesting in some of
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Economic Development mone, who has spearheaded the call to bring the road to completion. “It has now been supported by the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Palm Beach County Commission, ITID, the Western Communities Council and every municipality in the area.” The project just passed a planned development economic study and has moved on to the engineering design phase, FDOT Project Manager Beatriz Caicedo-Maddison said.
Aside from the Lake Worth Casino project, the City of Lake Worth also recently completed a major beach redevelopment project aimed at bolstering the popularity of the city’s iconic oceanfront.
its timeless treasures. Currently, the city is making improvements to its beachfront and iconic casino building, transforming the space but keeping old local favorites. “We’re so thrilled,” Lake Worth City Manager Michael Bornstein said. “It’s going to be a great amenity, and we hope it will attract people not just to visit for the day, but to maybe even consider how wonderful our city is. You can live anywhere in the city and bike to the beach. It’s undervalued, and we think it’s a great investment. Hopefully people will see this and bring their families and their businesses here.” The project, funded by a $5 million interlocal agreement with Palm Beach County, will reconfigure and improve parking, landscaping and lighting. It will also improve the nearby park with recreation areas, pavilions and more. There will be paved bike paths and racks to encourage biking, and the crown jewel will be the preservation of the historic Lake Worth Municipal Casino Building. “It will have a public space,” Bornstein said of the casino. “We call it a ballroom. It will be great for events like weddings or bar mitzvahs. There is nowhere else on this scale where you can rent a public facility that overlooks the ocean.”
The facility will shift the city’s business model slightly as it grows to be a wedding hotspot, he said. Most importantly, Bornstein hopes it will attract business to the area. “We think that, in the long term, it will greatly benefit the people of Lake Worth,” he said. “We are trying to attract small-scale hoteliers on the west side hotel district. We hope that the beach facility would turn the corner on people’s decisions to bring their business here.” A grand opening on the facility is planned for February. “We want to encourage people to come and visit,” he said. “We’re seeing a revitalized city, and we couldn’t be more excited.” State Road 7 Extension — Though many of these local projects are already underway, The Acreage is still pushing to see the extension of State Road 7 to Northlake Blvd. The long-planned project has faced opposition from West Palm Beach and residents of the Ibis community who live adjacent to the planned roadway. But last year, the project got some much-needed support. “It is a project funded on the five-year plan of the Florida Department of Transportation,” said ITID Supervisor Michelle Da-
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“We’re still coordinating with some environmental agencies regarding some concerns,” she said. “Right now we need to understand the concerns from these entities and better express the impacts this project will have.” The extension is considered an environmentally compatible road, Damone stressed. “The study answered all of the environmental concerns,” she said. Last year, ITID supervisors approved a connection from the road’s current dead end at Persimmon Road up to 60th Street North. “That’s getting ready to go into construction and move forward,” Damone said. “Now we have to keep pressure on the state.” The road would be a benefit for the local economy, enabling residents to get from northern Palm Beach County to the central parts of the county much more directly. “It will allow businesses from Wellington north to flourish even more,” Damone said. “It will be an easy ride and connect Palm Beach Gardens to our area. Businesses in the State Road 7 corridor will flourish.” She noted that although commercial development could not be built along the extension, many residents living in The Acreage must travel miles out of their way to get to work every day. “It’s going to make it easier for people to get to their jobs and put less impact on our roads,” Damone said. “It’s about moving people.”
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