Faces of
FORT LAUDERDALE Fort Lauderdale Illustrated presents the faces behind some of the most successful organizations in our region
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The FACES of
FINANCIAL PLANNING & WEALTH MANAGEMENT The Bodkins Group at Morgan Stanley
Money. It’s arguably the most taboo subject one can broach. While other conversations may seem more personal, it’s money we keep closest to the vest. Whether in times of economic boom or financial uncertainty, many of us don’t know how to best manage our resources, or more importantly, who to entrust them with. The Bodkins Group certainly has the experience with over 100 years combined in the money management industry. With a list of loyal clientele who are more like family than account numbers, you will be assured of the best, transparent investment strategy for your individual needs. The team, comprised of Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor Mark Bodkins (42 years of experience); First Vice President and Financial Advisor John Duford (33 years); Senior Registered Associates Carolyn Williams (36 years) and Lauren Jordan (14 years); and Senior Client Associate Maria Strand (30 years) feels more like a family than business associates. They treat their clients like extended family, knowing each personally, sometimes spanning multiple generations over the years. Having a good financial advisor is an important thing. Having one who knows and cares about you? Even better.
20807 BISCAYNE BLVD., SIXTH FLOOR AVENTURA, FL 33180 305.936.2714 FA.MORGANSTANLEY.COM/BODKINS The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC or its affiliates. The information contained in this article is general in nature and not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Financial Advisors engage Fort Lauderdale Magazine to feature this article. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please visit us at http://www.morganstanley.com/ ourcommitment/ or consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.CRC2853227 2/20
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From left to right; Lauren Jordan, John M. Duford, Mark N. Bodkins, Maria Strand, and Carolyn Williams
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The FACES of
PHILANTHROPY Community Foundation of Broward
Bold leaders step up for the community they love. They create a legacy of impact that lasts forever. The Community Foundation of Broward helps local philanthropists make a bold impact that shapes a brighter future. Because of the power of endowment, those who give through the Community Foundation build permanent philanthropic resources for Broward that are able to help where needed, today and forever. Donald B. Medalie, Esq.; Christine L. Lambertus, Esq.; and Charles L. Verner are among an elite group of professional advisors who trust the Community Foundation to help their clients make a lasting difference. They refer clients to the Community Foundation and work with their clients to craft estate plans that include gifts to the Foundation. Donald, Christine, and Charles believe in the power of local philanthropy so much that they have included the Community Foundation in their own estate plans. They trust the Community Foundation to further their personal legacies of bold impact. They are members of the Community Foundation’s Legacy Society—forward-thinkers who use estate gifts to transform the community they love. Their gifts will create endowed charitable Funds in their names at the Community Foundation that tackle Broward’s greatest challenges. Support from charitable Funds helps more students graduate from high school, empowers struggling families to rise from poverty, spreads the arts to more neighborhoods, fosters breakthroughs in cancer research and much, much more. Broward’s future is made brighter by local leaders who, with their philanthropy through the Community Foundation, create a legacy of bold impact that lasts forever.
910 E. LAS OLAS BLVD., STE 200 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301 954.761.9503 CFBROWARD.ORG
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Not pictured: Eric J. Hager, Esq.
The FACES of
COMPLEX COMMERCIAL LITIGATION Conrad & Scherer
For more than 45 years, Conrad & Scherer has earned a reputation as one of South Florida’s most accomplished law firms in the practice of complex commercial litigation. Few law firms can match the breadth of expertise that the team brings to their cases; their attorneys have over 200 years of combined experience, which has translated directly into a long and distinguished record of success. Conrad & Scherer served as attorneys for victims of Scott Rothstein’s multi-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme, producing one of the highest-ever percentages of recovery for plaintiffs. Another recent victory generated what may be the largest damage verdict in Broward County’s history. Now they’re representing 27 Florida hospitals in the fight against opioid manufacturers and distributors.
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Landmark decisions and groundbreaking actions like these are the result of the firm’s unique combination of legal proficiency, meticulous preparation, and, perhaps most importantly, courtroom prowess. The team at Conrad & Scherer is more than comfortable arguing before judge and jury to achieve the best possible results for clients. It’s that willingness to go to trial that may be Conrad & Scherer’s most defining characteristic.
633 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, EIGHTH FLOOR FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301 954.462.5500 CONRADSCHERER.COM
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The FACE of
DOWNTOWN THEATRE Nicole Stodard, Thinking Cap Theatre
Nicole Stodard, Ph.D., is the founding artistic director of Thinking Cap Theatre, a 501c3, professional theatre company that holds residence at The Vanguard. Under Stodard's leadership, TCT has brought innovative, high-caliber, Off- and OffOff-Broadway style theater to the downtown area for the past decade; you might call it “Off-Broward.” A full member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, the national union for professional directors and choreographers, Stodard has directed more than 30 main-stage productions and earned numerous awards including twotime Silver Palm Awards for direction and three New Times “Best Director” awards. Nicole holds a B.A. in English from Lafayette College; an M.Phil. in Theatre from Trinity College, Dublin; and a Ph.D. in English Literature with a specialization in drama from the University of South Florida. Her areas of research and activism include feminist and LGBTQ issues in theatre and stage direction. Her current book project examines the history of women in professional theatre, beginning with Aphra Behn (1640-1689), the first professional (paid) female playwright in the western world. Nicole also has developed youth theatre programming in association with hospices that help children use drama to cope with loss. Stodard's powerful reimagining of Shakespeare's tragedy, King Lear, within the context of contemporary concerns with dementia, was named one of the Top 10 South Florida Theatre Productions of 2019 by Boca Magazine.
1501 S. ANDREWS AVE. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33316 954.610.7263 THINKINGCAPTHEATRE.ORG SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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The FACE of
FORT LAUDERDALE Mayor Dean Trantalis, Trantalis & Associates
While Fort Lauderdale residents are busy managing their day-to-day lives, driving to work on its roads, deciding which beach to visit or where to ride their bikes, it’s easy to forget that there’s someone behind the scenes keeping it all together. That someone is Dean Trantalis, Mayor of Fort Lauderdale. When Trantalis threw his hat in the ring for the 2018 mayoral race, he did so to help not only improve the city, but to improve the inner workings of the commission itself. What Trantalis saw was a city where the residents felt their vision was being ignored, and the city taken in a wrong direction. His goal was, and is, to improve the quality of life that was being threatened, and to steer the city back in the proper direction. Between infrastructure, development on the beach and the homeless problem, he keeps himself busy. And, you’ll also find him behind the scenes, pushing legislation to better our environment; his most recent success being the elimination of plastic straws in Fort Lauderdale. When asked what he wanted his legacy to be, Trantalis simply says, “If I can come to work and be Mayor, and if there is a pattern of good as a result, that will be enough.”
2301 WILTON DRIVE, SUITE C1-A WILTON MANORS, FL 33305 954.566.2226 TRANTALISLAW.COM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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The FACES of
GENERATIONAL INVESTING Merrill Lynch Wealth Management “Shirtsleeves-to-shirtsleeves in three generations!” Sound cliché? Far from it. Although an early 20th-century proverbial saying, there is a pattern where the first generation builds wealth, the second generation maintains it, and the third generation squanders it. This applies to families that have $100,000 to $100,000,000. Managing a family’s wealth from generation to generation doesn’t have to be full of perils. For a family to successfully preserve its wealth, it must continue to educate its members financially and agree to uphold its shared values. Most importantly, each successive generation must reaffirm and readopt those shared values. With a diverse team of advisors, The Foreman-Cook Group provides strategic investing and planning for every stage with families, individuals, and businesses, generation after
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generation. The team is headed by SVP Wealth Management Advisor John Foreman CFP and SVP Senior Financial Advisor Austin Cook CRPC; along with Financial Advisors Benjamin Ross CPFA, David Foreman, Alina Ali, Maribeth Bates; Registered Senior Client Associate Diana Heitzman, and Client Associate Erin Donner. The lesson here is all generations need to be connected to the family and family values. If a family is only connected by money and legal structures, it is difficult to keep the shirtsleeves proverb from becoming a reality.
2611 E. OAKLAND PARK BLVD. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33306 954.537.3832 FA.ML.COM/FOREMAN.COOK
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The FACE of
HEALTHY SMILES
Dr. Andrew Forrest, 1500 Dental As a third-generation dentist, Dr. Forrest has distinguished himself time and again as an industry leader in periodontics and implant dentistry. Throughout his 18 years of experience, Dr. Forrest discovered that the ultimate patient experience necessitates employing a “team approach” to dental care, utilizing the expertise of a team of six dental specialists instead of just one. Dr. Forrest completed his clinical research at the University of Miami on the interdisciplinary management of cancer treatment, irradiation therapy, and implantology. He completed two periodontics externships, at New York University and Harvard University. Dr. Forrest also completed his three-year specialty training in periodontics and implant surgery at the University of Florida Shands Hospital, earning his master’s with a focus on oral immunology. He is a faculty reviewer for the Periodontics Chapter in the McGraw Hill Clinical Dentistry textbook and retains a teaching appointment as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics at the University of Florida. To date, Dr. Forrest has placed more than 10,000 dental implants. He lectures nationwide to practitioners on his methodology, teaching others how to attain the highest possible results in implant dentistry. He maintains a reputation for achieving excellent results by consistently following the basic principles of proper treatment planning and team synergy. With a passion for dentistry and an artistic flair for creating beautiful smiles, Dr. Forrest serves patients from the South Florida community and nationwide.
1500 N. FEDERAL HWY. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304 954.715.1000 1500DENTAL.COM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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The FACES of
LUXURY HOME STAGING Sandra Holmes and Lyn Spaeth, Luxe Home Staging & Design
Luxe Home Staging and Design is a nationally recognized and multi-award-winning home staging company servicing clients in South Florida from Miami to the Palm Beaches. Business partners Sandra Holmes and Lyn Spaeth are professional master stagers with over 30 years of combined staging experience. Sandra and Lyn are committed to outstanding service, beautiful spaces, and most importantly, maximizing the return on their client’s real estate investment. What sets Luxe apart is its attention to detail. Their portfolio of work is impressive, on-trend, and reflects the lifestyle of today’s buyers. Staging is a seller’s No. 1 marketing tool that maximizes the perceived value of a property to potential buyers. Their specialty is making each home, regardless of its asking price, look luxurious as well as the best product on the market at its price point. Luxe works with home sellers, investors, builders, and realtors to stage residential properties. They also love to decorate clients' homes, so they love where they live! Sandra and Lyn not only operate Luxe Home Staging and Design, but they are also the stars of a new television show that is launching soon on the CW Network called Luxe it Up. The show is about all things staging; the good, the bad, and the sofa! This dynamic duo is smart, talented, professional and bound to make you smile. If you are looking for inspired spaces and exceptional results, Luxe Home Staging and Design is the staging company to call
954.304.7355 LUXEHOMESTAGINGANDDESIGN.COM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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The FACE of
INTERIOR DESIGN
Dawn Hamilton, DawnElise Interiors Intl, Inc. DawnElise Hamilton is the president of DawnElise Interiors International and the firm’s principal designer. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University in New York, where she majored in Art History. Dawn worked at various world-renowned museums including the Whitney Museum of American Art, El Museo del Barrio, and The Museum of the Moving Image. Design was always a passion of hers, so after moving to South Florida, Dawn enrolled at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale where she earned a degree in design. Over the next few years, she strengthened her credentials by becoming a NCIDQ-certified professional member of ASID. In 2002, she launched DawnElise Interiors and quickly began building a reputation for creativity, excellence, and unsurpassed customer service. Dawn was invited to participate in the prestigious DCOTA D.O.C program and was awarded the Designer of the Year award by the Design Center and Tiffany & Co. Although the firm specializes in luxury residential design, they work on many different types of projects including high-end office space, restaurant design, and hotel design. Business is always conducted with integrity and honesty, and Dawn and her team work hard to deliver superior results. While the studio is based in east Fort Lauderdale, DawnElise Interiors’ trademark sophisticated and vibrant interiors can be seen in distinguished properties in Florida, New York, and Colorado to Latin America and beyond. From the pages of the finest design magazines to your home, turn to DawnElise Interiors for your next interior design collaboration.
954.609.7113 DAWNELISEINTERIORS.COM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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The FACE of
LUXURY HOME & CUSTOM ESTATE CONSTRUCTION John Scherer, Gulf Building LLC
John Scherer, president and CEO of Gulf Building LLC, started the residential division of Gulf Building in 2008. What began as small projects like a kitchen renovation or bathroom facelift, grew into the business’ award-winning Luxury Residential division. To date, Gulf Building has completed over 50 custom homes in South Florida, ranging from 4,000 to 30,000 square feet, all while continuing to flourish in the commercial sector. John earned his Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University and a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from the University of Florida. As a long-time supporter of Gator Nation, John was honored to be named in the Gator100, which showcases the Top 100 fastest-growing businesses owned by a UF alumnus. As the firm continues to grow and shape Florida’s skyline, they continue to focus on giving back and supporting the local community. John attributes his longevity in the industry to the firm’s philosophy that building is—more than anything else— about people. It’s about treating clients with fairness. It’s about selecting subcontractors that share Gulf’s core values and work ethic. And together, great results can be achieved. When you’re looking to build your dream home, Gulf Building LLC has the solid foundation you deserve.
633 S. FEDERAL HIGHWAY, STE. 500 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301 954.492.9191 GULFBUILDING.COM SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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The FACES of
LUXURY TRAVEL
Sharon S. Turnau, Landmark Travel Sharon's passion for traveling led her to pause her volunteering in Fort Lauderdale to start a life of adventure. Her desire has continued for more than 33 years, traveling to the four corners of the world. Today, she plans trips not only for her Fort Lauderdale clients but for clients throughout the U.S. and abroad. She has contributed to articles in travel sections of the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, to name a few. Her expertise is planning exceptional adventures including world cruises, traveling to Antarctica, and climbing Machu Picchu, as well as curating wine tasting trips in Europe, South Africa, Australia, and Chile. She prefers small luxury ships and riverboats and planning multi-generational family trips. She is a certified travel counselor, certified travel expert and an agency owner
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of Landmark Travel who is a member of the prestigious Signature Travel Network. She is a dream weaver that can help you plan the most exotic adventure to the Atacama Desert or a family gathering to Paris and Normandy. You'll be handheld through the entire process from planning your bucket list trip to arriving home safely. Let Sharon and the staff at Landmark orchestrate your next dream vacation.
12 SE EIGHTH ST. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33316 954.523.0727 LANDMARK-TRAVEL.COM
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The FACES of
MENTAL HEALTH Ventre Medical Associates
Mental health affects everyone and is not talked about enough. For those who are suffering from severe depression, anxiety, or addiction, it can be elusive. The board-certified psychiatrists at Ventre Medical Associates specialize in treating patients with such needs. VMA psychiatrists and their team of psychiatric APRNs have the experience to help people at different levels of care. With two out-patient office locations in Broward County, multiple doctors serve as chairman of the Psychiatry Department at some of Fort Lauderdale’s leading hospitals. VMA has experts in routine mental healthcare and acute care stabilization. The VMA team specializes in treatment for depression and utilizes cutting edge treatment options like FDA approved dTMS (Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). dTMS is
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a non-medication treatment to help patients get out from under the weight of their depression. Staying on the forefront of medical advancement is important to the VMA team. VMA's commitment to quality of care is only surpassed by their genuine passion for their patients. By focusing on each patient as an individual, the VMA team can customize treatment options tailored to the patients’ specific goals and provide them with the tools they need to live life to the fullest.
1400 EAST OAKLAND PARK BLVD, SUITE 210 OAKLAND PARK, FL 33334 954.561.6222 VENTREMEDICAL.COM
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The FACES of
PLASTIC SURGERY
Dr. Michael Cheung & Dr. Christopher Low, Cosmetic & Reconstructive Specialists of Florida In a place like South Florida, known for its beautiful beaches and equally beautiful people, there are a multitude of plastic surgery groups, med spas, and cosmetic centers promising miracle results. A new center or plastic surgeon seems to “pop up� virtually every week and disappear just as quickly. Above the rest is Cosmetic & Reconstructive Specialists of Florida, also known as CRS Plastic Surgery, which has quickly become the No.1 destination for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. With the fundamental principle of patient education and individualized care, Dr. Christopher Low and Dr. Michael Cheung provide their patients with high quality, safe and customized surgical options. As board-certified plastic surgeons, they strive to achieve and maintain superb patient care.
Dr. Cheung and Dr. Low have made it their mission to provide simple yet effective and proven treatments at the heart of their practice. Transparency and open communication with their patients have quickly placed them as a top choice within the South Florida community. From breast augmentation to mommy makeovers, CRS Plastic surgery has the answer to your cosmetic goals. Come see why Dr. Michael Cheung, Dr. Christopher Low and their team @crsplasticsurgery are The Face of Plastic Surgery.
906 NE 26 AVE. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304 954.533.8029 CRSPLASTICSURGERY.COM
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The FACE of
TOURISM
Stacy Ritter, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been a driving force in the destination’s evolution. Besides facilitating leisure and group sales, she also champions multicultural tourism, LGBT+ advocacy, and a culture of inclusion. A licensed attorney with the Florida Bar, she served for eight years in the Florida House of Representatives followed by almost 10 years on the Broward County Board of County Commissioners and one year as mayor. During her tenure as a county commissioner, Ritter championed the extension of the south runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and the new downtown courthouse. Ritter’s belief in growth and evolution extends to her current role as president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, which she has led since 2016, transforming the destination with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her messaging and marketing campaigns are built on a strong belief that Greater Fort Lauderdale is welcoming to everyone regardless of the color of their skin, who they love, or who they worship. As Greater Fort Lauderdale continues to change, Ritter’s impact will no doubt continue to radiate throughout, opening doors to endless possibilities for all in Broward County.
101 NE THIRD AVENUE, SUITE 100 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301 954.765.4466 SUNNY.ORG SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
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