SOUTH FLORIDA SUPER BOWL XLI HOST COMMITTEE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE BIOS
Rodney Barreto, Chairman
The Barreto Group
The Barreto Group is a real estate investment and development firm. The Barreto Group handles land acquisition, zoning and development in Miami-Dade County. The Barreto Group brings to these arrangements deep roots in the community and a history of proven performance on behalf of clients and business partners.
The Barreto Group offers a success-driven mix of historical perspective and contemporary savvy. The firm has a reputation for effective results, and is uniquely qualified to buy, hold or sell property in agreements, and on schedules, that benefit the community and maximize returns to the partners.
Mr. Barreto is also the founding partner of Barreto, Cunningham, May, Dudley Maloy Reyes and Guzzo, LLC a strategy management firm that develops and manages effective corporate and public affairs strategies to achieve specific business results, with offices in Miami and Tallahassee. Recognized by policy makers and their peers as one of the top public affairs firms in Florida, the principals have achieved measurable results for dozens of companies based in Florida and other parts of the United States. From Fortune 500 companies to small businesses, and professional sports franchises, the firm has developed winning strategies.
Rodney Barreto is widely known for his involvement in the community in which he grew up. He is chairman of the 2007 Super Bowl Host Committee, charged with raising nearly $10-million to support the February 4, 2007 game in Dolphin Stadium and the dignitaries and media it attracts. Mr. Barreto chaired the 62nd annual U.S. Conference of Mayors, held in Miami. He also chaired the 1999 Miami Dade County Super Bowl Host Committee, the 1999 Breeder’s Cup and the 1999 Sister Cities International Convention. And he Co-chaired the City of Miami Centennial celebration. Mr. Barreto was founder and creator of the Big Orange New Year’s celebration that takes place in downtown Miami every December 31st.
The Miami native also finds time to protect wildlife in The Sunshine State. As a youngster in the 1960s, Mr. Barreto fished Biscayne Bay and hunted The Everglades, activities he now enjoys with his wife and children. Following an appointment by Governor Jeb Bush, Mr. Barreto chaired and is a commissioner on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
He is a board member for US Century Bank, Baptist Health Foundation and Goodwill Industries of South Florida. He is state finance co-chair for the gubernatorial campaign of Charlie Crist.
Prior to his career in public affairs and real estate, Mr. Barreto was a City of Miami police officer. Mr. Barreto earned his Associate of Arts degree from Miami Dade Community College and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Studies from Barry University. Mr. Barreto is married and lives with his wife Shelia and two children, Brittney and Bradley, in Miami.
Jorge Arrizurieta
Akerman Senterfitt
Jorge Arrizurieta, currently serves as the Chair of the International Policy Group for the law firm Akerman Senterfitt. In this role he provides business and government consulting advice.
Most recently, Arrizurieta has been appointed by Florida Governor Jeb Bush to the State of Florida’s Board of Governors, which oversees Florida’s 11 public universities and colleges. He also serves as a Trustee of the Miami-Dade County Public Health Trust. In June 2003, Bush appointed Arrizurieta to the post of chief executive of Florida FTAA, Inc., where he was responsible for developing and implementing strategies for securing Miami as the site of the Permanent Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Previously, Arrizurieta was nominated by President George W. Bush and later confirmed to serve as the tenth U.S. Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank. He has also served as U.S. Alternate Executive Director of the Inter-American Investment Corporation and represented the U.S. on the Donors Committee of the Multilateral Investment Fund. Arrizurieta was also State Finance Vice Chairman for the George W. Bush Presidential Campaign in Florida and the Department of Treasure Task Force for President Bush’s transition in January 2001. He was also Executive Assistant to the Finance Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida for Bush’s father, former President George H.W. Bush’s campaign and was Assistant to the National Chairman for President George H.W. Bush’s Transition Team in 1988.
Arrizurieta was recognized as one of South Florida’s most important business and civic leaders in the “Power Issue” of South Florida CEO in April 2005 and was the recipient of South Florida Business Journal’s “40 under 40” award. He was also a National Olympic Torch Rally participant during the 1996 USA Summer Olympics.
Joe Bailey
Dolphins Enterprises
Joseph (Joe) A. Bailey III, was named Chief Executive Officer of Dolphins Enterprises on January 13, 2005. In his new role, Bailey is in charge of all Miami Dolphins and Dolphins Stadium operations, management, development, sales, marketing and merchandising. Bailey joined the company from Russell Reynolds Associates, one of the premier global executive search and assessment firms.
While at Russell Reynolds Associates, Bailey led the company’s Entertainment, Media & Sports and Corporate Communication Practices. During his tenure at Russell Reynolds Associates, Bailey conducted executive searches for the NFL office and individual clubs, covering areas such as management, finance, security, officiating, and human resources. In 2004, The Sporting News called Bailey the most influential executive recruiter in sports and included him on its list of “The 100 Most Powerful People in Sports.”
Bailey has extensive experience in professional football. He spent 19 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, working in almost every facet of the team’s organization, starting in the equipment and training room in the early 1960s and joining the team in 1970 as a player scout. Subsequently, he was named the team’s Business Manager, and eventually served as Senior Vice President – Administration. Following his tenure in Dallas, Bailey served as Senior Vice President and COO at the World League/NFL for five years. He was responsible for all the diverse elements the startup of such a league entailed, culminating with the inaugural World Bowl in London’s Wembley Stadium that attracted 60,000 fans.
A former board member of Plaza National Bank and the Boys and Girls Club of Dallas, Bailey has an A.B. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard University School of Business.
Gerald Baron
Palm Beach County Sports Commission
A resident of Palm Beach County since 1996, Gerald Baron, an acknowledged professional with experience in managing sporting facilities and events, was named Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission in July, 2006.
His past experience in the field of facility and event management include Director of Public Relations and Special Events, Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac MI.; Vice President and General Manager of Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO.; and General Manager of Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA., included hosting such major events as Super Bowl XVI, World Series and Major League Baseball playoffs.
Baron was also Vice President Facility Services, responsible for overseeing the management of the former West Palm Beach Auditorium, James L. Knight Convention Center, Miami; Thomas J. White Baseball Stadium, St. Lucie, FL; and served as Resident Manager of the new Palm Beach County Convention Center serving on the advisory team for the Center’s design and construction while working for the private management company, Global Spectrum. He was also President of Baron Event Management, Inc. an event management, development and consulting company.
Baron is a Michigan native and began his career at the Olympia Arena in Detroit, MI former home of the Detroit Red Wings. At the Silverdome he was one of the original team members to bring the Super Bowl to the Silverdome, former home of the Detroit Lions, NBA Detroit Pistons, and the North American Soccer League.
Steve Belous
Ernst & Young
Steve Belous is the Managing Partner of Ernst & Young's Fort Lauderdale, Florida office. He has more than 24 years of experience serving Ernst & Young clients in South Florida. During his tenure, Belous has served in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach offices of Ernst & Young.
Belous has served as Chairman and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Palm Beach Habilitation Center, is as a member of the Broward Workshop, and is an alumnus of Leadership Palm Beach County and Leadership Boca Raton.
Belous has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the State University of New York at Albany and attended the Kellogg Executive Program at Northwestern University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American and Florida Institutes of Certified Public Accountants.
Bruce Jay Colan
Holland & Knight
Bruce Jay Colan practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, corporate law and sports. His work involves the professional sports (including team acquisitions and sports facility development, management, operation and finance), tour operator, hotel, real estate development, entertainment and other industries. Among other things, Colan led a team of Holland & Knight attorneys in drafting and negotiating development, management, operating and financing agreements for The Miami Heat with Miami-Dade County for the American Airlines Arena. He annually lectures to the students in the University of Miami Law School’s graduate real estate program on public/private sports facility partnerships.
Colan is a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, as well as counsel to its Board of Directors. At the Chamber, Colan chairs the Chamber’s New World Center (Downtown) Committee, founded and co-chaired the Chamber’s Cuba Committee and is co-author of The Trade Impact of A Free Cuba, a publication of the Chamber.
Colan is general counsel to the South Florida Super Bowl XLI Host Committee, a member of the Orange Bowl Committee and Counsel to the Board of Directors of the New World Symphony where he is a member of its Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Colan was also Vice Chair of the Florida Governor's Cuba Commission.
A member of the Business Law and Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Sections of The Florida Bar, Colan served as Chairman of the Corporation Committee. He is also a member of the American Bar Association and the New York Bar. Colan earned his B.S. in finance from Pennsylvania State University, where he was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, and his J.D. from Harvard University.
Dean C. Colson
Colson Hicks Eidson
After earning an undergraduate degree at Princeton University, Dean C. Colson graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law in 1977. Upon graduation, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Peter T. Fay, 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals. In 1980, Colson was a law clerk for Justice William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States. Colson joined the Law Firm of Colson Hicks Eidson in 1981, where he has handled many multi-million dollar malpractice, aviation and products liability cases for injured plaintiffs and defended the local newspaper in significant libel litigation.
In 2000, he was appointed by Florida Governor Jeb Bush to Florida’s Commission on Ethics. In 2002, he was appointed by Governor Bush to the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission and in 2004 he was elected Chairman of the Supreme Court JNC.
Colson is committed to civic and community affairs. He is a past President of the Dade County Bar Association and a past member of The Florida Bar Board of Governors. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Miami and has previously served as Chairman of the University’s Executive Committee, Chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Law School’s Visiting Committee.
Billy Cypress
Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida
Billy Cypress is the Chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. As Chairman, for the past nineteen years, he has served as an officer of the Tribe's General Council. In this leadership role, he, together with other Council Members, is responsible for the development and management of resources and the day-to-day business activities of the Tribe. Chairman Cypress works with other tribal and community leaders in the continuous pursuit of economic self-sufficiency and self-determination and to protect and preserve the resources of the Tribe, especially their Everglades homeland and their cultural identity. In this regard, he has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the United South and Eastern Tribes since 1972.
Florida Governor Jeb Bush has commended his dedicated service to the Florida Governor’s Council on Indian Affairs and in 2002, Cypress was named “Indian Leader of the Year” by the National Indian Business Association and Cypress’ contribution to development and community relations extends beyond the boundaries of Native American issues. In 2005, Cypress received the President’s Medal from the University of Miami for his contributions and service to South Florida and was recognized by the American Cancer Society’s Dade Unit and for contributions to relief efforts for Hurricanes Katrina and Charley.
Shaun Davis
S. Davis & Associates
Shaun M. Davis is the President and Founder of S. Davis & Associates, P.A., an accounting firm he started in 1991. His wife, Tanya, joined him at the company in 1997. S. Davis & Associates is recognized as one of the top ten minority businesses in the State of Florida and one of the top three African American CPA firms in the southeast United States. Davis is a nationally known CPA and has over twenty-two years of public accounting experience. Born and raised in New York, he attended Florida State University and graduated in 1983 with a degree in accounting. After graduating, he joined the CPA firm of Deloitte and Touche and, later, Davis joined Ernst and Young where he became an audit manager.
Davis has received several awards such as the Price Waterhouse Up-and-Comer award and the Hollywood Outstanding Community Leader award. He also contributes to various charitable organizations and has been involved with many other community organizations. Davis has served as Chairman of the United Way of Broward County, President of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, among many more. He is currently the co-chair of Vision Broward.
Podhurst Orseck
Victor Manuel Diaz, Jr. is a partner in the law firm of Podhurst Orseck, P.A. For the past 20 years, Diaz has been a trial lawyer handling a broad range of civil litigation, including complex commercial litigation and mass tort litigation.
Diaz has been recognized as an elite civil trial lawyer by numerous national and regional publications, including Who’s Who In American Law (1995); Chamber’s USA Guide to Leading Lawyers for Business (2004; 2005); South Florida Legal Guide (2005); Florida Trend Magazine’s Florida Legal Elite (2005; 2006); Madison’s Who’s Who (2006) and Best Lawyers in America (2006).
In 2000, the Florida Supreme Court awarded Diaz the “Tobias Simon Award”, the State’s highest recognition for public and pro bono service. In 2003, he was elected by his peers as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Diaz graduated in 1982 from Duke University as the Valedictorian of the College of Arts and Sciences, obtaining a double degree in accounting and management science. Thereafter, Diaz attended the Yale Law School where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law and Policy Review.
Albert E. Dotson Jr.
Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP
Albert E. Dotson, Jr., Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and an equity partner in the Miami law firm of Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod LLP, represents real estate developers in securing land use, zoning and other government approvals and permits for large-scale real estate developments and matters regarding federal and local government procurement contracts and compliance. He graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Economics and History and earned his juris doctor degree from Vanderbilt University, School of Law and was awarded the Bennett Douglas Bell Memorial Prize for academic achievement and high ethical standards. He is bilingual in English and Spanish, having studied at the Universidad de Granada in Spain.
Dotson was first elected as an officer of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. in 1994 as the organization's Secretary. In 1996, he was elected Vice President and re-elected to successive two-year terms until 2004. In 2004, Dotson was elected Chairman of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. He became a member of 100 Black Men in 1989, when he was elected the founding president of his local chapter—100 Black Men of South Florida, Inc. Dotson served as President of the South Florida Chapter for 10 years.
Dotson's commitment to his community has also been recognized by Commendations and Proclamations from the Mayor of Miami-Dade County and the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners and the Mayor of the City of Miami and the City of Miami Commission. Dotson serves as the Chairman of the Miami Dade College Foundation Board of Trustees. Dotson serves as President of The Orange Bowl Committee for the 2006-2007 Orange Bowl Festival and FedEx Orange Bowl Game.
George Foyo
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
George W. Foyo is Market President, South Florida, for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF). In this role, Foyo is responsible for BCBSF business operations in Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, St Lucie, Okeechobee and Indian River counties.
Prior to joining BCBSF in January 2006, Foyo served as President and CEO of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest chamber organizations in the country. Prior to his tenure with the chamber, Foyo was President of DIRECTV Latin America and President and Managing Director for AT&T’s Caribbean and Latin America Region.
Foyo holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Master of Science in Engineering from Purdue University. Over his career Foyo has held numerous board memberships and professional affiliations including: Miami Business Forum, Chair-Cuban American National Council, International Trade Commission, Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Beacon Council, Tri-County Regional Business Alliance, The Dade Community Foundation and others.
Linda Gill
Gill Hotels Company
Linda L. Gill is Managing Member of Gill Family Holdings, LLC and is a consultant to Clipper/Trader Holdings, LLC which owns the Sheraton Yankee Clipper and Sheraton Yankee Trader Hotels on Fort Lauderdale Beach, now operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.
Gill, a native of Fort Lauderdale, graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Psychology. She attended Florida International University for post graduate work in the Hospitality School, while working at her family’s hotels. She has been an active member of the hospitality and tourism industry since 1975.
In addition to her business commitments, Gill is known for her extraordinary dedication to Florida’s tourism industry and to the community. In 1993, she was the first woman to chair the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. She has held leadership positions on the boards of directors of FLA USA, Florida Hotel & Motel Association, and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Lodging & Hospitality Association. She has provided leadership and resources to numerous charitable organizations.
Gill serves on the Board of Directors for: The Bank of Florida, FLA USA, Florida Tourism Commission (Visit Florida), FH&MA, Florida Hotel & Motel Association, Greater Fort Lauderdale Lodging & Hospitality Association, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Tourist Development Council, Beach Redevelopment City of Fort Lauderdale,
Nova Southeastern University, Broward Workshop, National Conference of Community & Justice, Broward Women’s Alliance, Fort Lauderdale Historical Society and Boys & Girls Club of Broward County.
Most recently, Gill was recognized: Outstanding Women of Philanthropy – Women’s Way/United Way (2005); Tourism Leader of the Year, Greater Fort Lauderdale Lodging & Hospitality Association (2004); Valor Award, American Diabetes Association (2004) and Humanitarian of the Year, NSU Center for Psychological Studies (2004).
Nicki E. Grossman
Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau
Nicki E. Grossman was named president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau in June, 1995. Grossman’s responsibilities include the administration of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the sales, marketing, promotion, advertising, and publicity arm of Broward County’s convention and tourism efforts. She oversees a budget of $28 million including the operation of the recently expanded 600,000-square-foot Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.
The hospitality industry is Broward County’s largest, employing more that 107,000 and generating more than $8.59 billion in annual revenues by 10.14 million annual visitors. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau is financed by a dedicated “tourist development tax” collected by all hotels, motels and inns in Broward County.
Grossman was elected to the Hollywood, Florida City Commission in 1978. She was elected to the Broward County Commission in 1982, serving twice as that body’s chair. She has served at Chair of the Broward Tourist Development Council and is Vice Chair of the South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee. She is an appointee of Governor Jeb Bush to the Florida Commission on Tourism, where she was elected Vice Chair, and serves on the American Coastal Coalition Board of Directors. Grossman was named by Travel Agent, one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Tourism – as a result of her leadership in the post September 11th, 2001, recovery. In 2005, she was named one of the Top 25 Marketing Minds by the Hospitality Sales and Management Association International.
Robert J. Henninger
Huizenga Holdings, Inc.
Robert J. Henninger, Jr. is the Executive Vice President at Huizenga Holdings, Inc. He has served on the Super Bowl Host Committee since 1989, and served on the Super Bowl Executive Committee in 1995, 1999 and 2007. Mr. Henninger was previously Senior Vice President of Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation and of Republic Industries, Inc., and for many years was the Managing Partner of the Fort Lauderdale office of Arthur Andersen & Co. He has been on the board of many business and charitable organizations, and has dedicated his time to numerous community causes.
Pete Hernandez
Miami-Dade County
As Deputy County Manager, Pedro (Pete) Hernandez provides direct assistance to the Miami-Dade County Manager in addressing countywide management issues, including special assignments and projects, and acting on his behalf, as required. Hernandez’ departmental assignments include administrative and operational oversight of the Aviation, Water and Sewer Department, Property Appraisal, and Agenda Coordination. He is also, liaison to Inspector General, Ethics Commission, Independent Review Panel, Judicial Administration, Clerk of Courts, State Attorney/Public Defender, Governmental Structure Task Force, Municipal relations and Intergovernmental Affairs/Dade Delegation.
Hernandez received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Miami, majoring in Civil Engineering. He is registered as a Professional Engineer in the State of Florida.
Prior to his appointment as Assistant County Manager in 1998, he served as Director of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. Hernandez also served as Director of the Public Works Department from 1995 until 1998. As Director, he was Chief Engineer and coordinated the overall operations of the department. He was named Chief of the Highway Division in 1986, supervising planning, design, plans preparation and bidding of roadway, bridge and traffic projects, including the management of major projects, and traffic studies.
In 1985, as Assistant Chief of the Highway Division, he provided support in the areas of need, traffic studies and special projects for the Public Works Department. He also participated extensively in the Consultant Certification Committee. He became a Project Engineer with the Metro-Dade Transit Authority in 1981, supervising consultants in the design and preparation of construction plans for the Stage 1 Access Roads program for Metrorail. He also provided design support for the Metrorail-related construction of civil engineering projects, including roadways, traffic and facilities.
Alina Tejeda Hudak
Miami-Dade County
Alina Tejeda Hudak is an Assistant County Manager responsible for the effective management of the Miami-Dade County government and its more than 30,000 employees. Hudak is a 22-year professional. At the age of 33, she was the first Hispanic female ever to be appointed to the position of Assistant County Manager and has since continued to serve as one of the highest ranking female executives for Miami-Dade County government. She was also the first woman ever appointed director of a large operational department when she served as Director of the General Services Administration Department. During her tenure in the Manager's Office, she highlights her greatest accomplishments as the creation of the County's Citizen Outreach Department, Team Metro, and her years of work on procurement reform which led to the creation of the Department of Procurement Management.
Over the years, Hudak has been actively involved in a variety of community organizations including: the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), the Board of Directors of the United Way and the Junior League of Miami's Community Council. Hudak has served as the County's logistical lead to numerous special events including three Super Bowls, five National Championship parades, Olympic Soccer, the Volvo Cup Ocean Race, the NASDAQ-100 Open Tennis Tournament, the Annual County Employee Picnic, and the Salute our Troops Event 2004.
Angel Medina, Jr.
Regions Bank
Angel Medina, Jr. is Group President of Regions Bank Miami-Dade. In this capacity he provides strategic direction for the sale and delivery of financial products and services to all Regions customers. Medina joined Union Planters (which merged with Regions in July 2004) in April 2000 as Executive Vice President Strategic Planning, where he focused on the development of Relationship Banking and the execution of a streamlined credit approval process. In August 2000 he was appointed President of the Miami-Dade Bank, where he oversaw Corporate, Commercial Real Estate and Wealth Management. In June 2001, his responsibilities expanded to include Business Banking and Retail. Today, Medina is responsible for all Regions financial services activities in the Miami-Dade market.
Medina’s career in the financial services industry began in 1973. Throughout his over 30-year career, he has served in numerous leadership positions in Commercial Real Estate, Corporate Banking, Business Banking, Retail and Credit Policy. He also spent more than 13 years in leadership positions with Barnett Bank of South Florida until 1996, when he joined Adrian Homes as its chief financial officer. Medina has taken a leadership role in the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, where he serves as the Chairman of the Regional and Local Economic Development Group and as a member of the Board of Directors.
Medina recently completed a two-year term as President of the Latin Builders Association, a local business group that focuses on the construction and real estate industry and takes an active role in promoting government reform. He has served the LBA board since 1989. Medina is a graduate of the Leadership Florida program (1996-Class XIV), and is a graduate and former board member of the Leadership Miami program. Medina has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance from Florida International University.
Max Osceola, Jr.
Seminole Tribe of Indians of Florida
Max B. Osceola Jr. is a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Within the Tribe there are extended families called clans. Osceola is a member of the Panther Clan. Osceola has made a positive impact while serving with the Seminole Tribal Council. Through his efforts improvements have been made economically, culturally and educational. His efforts have also improved the overall health and welfare of Tribe. Currently, Osceola is serving his eleventh two-year term as the Hollywood Council Representative. He is serving on the Pinecrest School’s Board of Trustees and is a member of the Ann Storck Foundation Board.
Osceola has been involved with many charities that benefit the citizens of Broward County. Many of the charities conduct research to prevent health-related problems and advocate life improvement. He has coached many boys and girls youth athletic teams. His latest coaching effort was with the Pinecrest Panthers Middle School Girls’ Softball Team, which went 9-1 for the 2003 season.
Osceola was inducted into the Ft. Lauderdale Sports’ Hall of Fame in 2003 for his contribution to high school and youth sports in the county. He is the recipient of the Silver Medallion Award (2004) from the National Conference for Community and Justice. He also was named as a “Treasure of Broward” by the Leadership Broward Foundation (2005).
Bruce Schulze
Dolphin Stadium
M. Bruce Schulze, President, Dolphin Stadium, began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball in 1982. Since then, he has held several key positions including; Director of Event Operations and Security for Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MO., Director of Facility Management for the expansion Florida Marlins, Vice President/General Manager of Pro Player Stadium and President, Dolphin Stadium, a role he has held since October, 1999.
Major accomplishments include his current role on the Super Bowl Bid Committee (since 1995). Member of the Stadium Managers Association Board of Directors (active), Board Member of the U.S. National Soccer Training Center Host Committee and Community Development Board Member (appointment by County Manager). Board Member, Race Miami (Volvo Race Around The World).
Additionally, he holds memberships in several industry associations including; American Society for Industrial Security, International Association of Assembly Managers and the Florida Facility Managers Association.
Phil P. Smith
Phil Smith Automotive Group
As the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Phil Smith Automotive Group, Smith is responsible for the overall operations of the organization, including working with the equity partners at the locations, as well as orchestrating the acquisition and growth strategies of the organization. Smith has over thirty years of direct hands-on sales and management of automobile dealerships, and has built the organization from the ground up starting from his first equity venture in a Toyota Dealership in Homestead, Florida, in 1980.
Awards received by the Phil Smith Automotive Group alliance include: J. D. Powers Quality Dealer Award (3 dealerships), Toyota President’s Award, Toyota Leadership Board, Toyota Parts and Service Advisory Board, Mitsubishi Diamond Quality Dealer Award, Toyota Customer Service Advisory Board, Toyota Board of Governors, and Ford Chairman’s Award.
Smith is one of the most highly respected dealers in the Southeastern United States, and is a recognized National leader as a Toyota dealer. Smith is currently a member of the Orange Bowl Committee, is Past Chairman of the Southeast Toyota Dealer Council, is past member of the National Toyota Dealer Council, is Past President of the South Florida Auto-Truck Dealers Association, and is a Past Director of the Florida Automobile Dealers Association. Smith is also the Broward County Co-Chair of the 2007 Super Bowl Host committee and Co-Chairs the Cystic Fibrosis Jeb Bush Annual Golf Classic. Smith was the recipient of the 2003 Junior Achievement Entrepreneur of the Year
In December, 2004, Smith headed a group of Fort Lauderdale businessmen and long-time residents that purchased the Coral Ridge Country Club. The group’s goal is to turn this Robert Trent Jones signature course into the premier private club in South Florida.
Smith is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University, majoring in Finance and Business Administration.
William D. Talbert, III
Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
As President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) for the past six years, and as Chief Operating Officer for the prior eight years, William D. Talbert has distinguished himself as a highly respected visitor industry and community leader.
Talbert’s fourteen years of experience at the GMCVB include major accomplishments such as assisting with the passage of the Food and Beverage tax to fund the GMCVB’s advertising budget, negotiating inter-local government funding agreements and preparing three successful Super Bowl and POW WOW bids. He played an integral role in the re-engineering of the GMCVB, decreasing overhead to put more money into much needed advertising for the destination. He led the GMCVB as the first Bureau in the country after 9/11 in the market with a fully funded post 9/11 message and the first to adjust its administrative budget after 9/11 while increasing promotional efforts.
Talbert’s professional affiliations include Chair Elect of the International Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus’ Board of Directors, past chairman of the Florida Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, past Chair of the IACVB Foundation Board of Trustees, Professional Convention Management Association (Chair, 2001 Annual Meeting Host Committee), American Society of Association Executive, Meeting Planners International, Orange Bowl Committee, Mayor’s Marketing Council, Visitor Industry Council, Community Improvement Authority, Board of Directors of Florida National Parks and Monuments Association and SKAL (an organization of industry professionals promoting tourism and friendship worldwide). He is also a board member of the World Trade Center Miami, Greater Miami & the Beaches Hotel Association (GMBHA), the South Florida Workforce and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
Talbert holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University and bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida.
