October 23, 2019 – PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL – The Business Development Board (BDB), Palm Beach County’s official economic development organization, announced its 2019-2020 Board of Directors, a group of notable leaders positioning Palm Beach County as the top business location. More than 10 of these leaders recently topped Florida Trend’s annual issue, “Florida 500”, a list comprised of the most influential business leaders in the state of Florida.
Carey O’Donnell, President and Creative Director of O’Donnell Agency, will serve as the 2019-20 Chair. Her advertising, PR and digital media firm has been ranked among Florida’s leading agencies for more than a decade, and she has been on the list of Florida Trend’s most influential business leaders in the state since its inception. In addition to healthcare and real estate marketing, the firm is renowned in Florida’s nine major markets for its branding and marketing of cities and special districts.
The following leaders will serve on the Executive Committee:
- Carey O’Donnell, O’Donnell Agency, Chair
- Harvey Oyer, Shutts & Bowen, LLP, Vice Chair
- Frank Compiani, RSM US LLP, Treasurer
- Gina Melby, HCA Palm Beach Hospitals, Secretary
- Ben Boynton, Boynton Financial Group, Past Chair
- Fabiola Brumley, Bank of America
- George Elmore, Hardrives, Inc., Emeritus
- Matthew Enochs, Pratt & Whitney
- Ken Kahn, LRP Media Group
- Don Kiselewski, Florida Power & Light
- Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
- Brian Seymour, Gunster
- Kelly Smallridge, Business Development Board, BDB President & CEO
In addition, two new business leaders were selected to fill “At-Large” seats. They are as follows:
Cressman Bronson, PNC Bank is the Regional President of PNC Bank for the Southeast Florida market covering the territory of Vero Beach to Miami. He leads PNC’s overall growth strategy in the market, including the executive banking team, Corporate Banking, Asset Management and Retail Banking.
Erick Strati, Wells Fargo is the Commercial Banking Market Executive for Wells Fargo covering South Florida (Port St Lucie to the Florida Keys). He’s a 21-year veteran of Wells Fargo Bank through predecessor banks and has worked in this market his entire career; working in various lines of business.
BDB Directors assist in bringing new business to Palm Beach County and help in expanding local companies. Over the past five years, the Directors assisted companies that have created more than 12,600 direct jobs with average salaries greater than $67,000, resulting in more than $693 million in capital investment to Palm Beach County, and an economic impact that exceeds $5.87 billion. This past year alone resulted in 34 companies relocating to or expanding in Palm Beach County, creating 2,725 high salary jobs for Palm Beach County residents.
To view a full list of the BDB Board of Directors, click here.
About Business Development Board: The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County is the official public/private economic development organization for Palm Beach County and Enterprise Florida. Founded in 1982 as a not-for-profit corporation, our primary purpose is to attract and retain new industry, business investment, high quality jobs and workforce development through corporate relocations, expansions and international trade. During the past five years, the BDB has assisted companies that have created more than 12,822 direct jobs with average salaries greater than $69,062, resulting in more than $777 million in capital investment to Palm Beach County and an economic impact that exceeds $6.87 billion. Additional information can be found at the BDB’s web site, BDB.org.
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