September 5, 2019 – PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLA – The Business Development Board (BDB), Palm Beach County’s official economic development resource, is pleased to announce that more than 65 leaders from the Palm Beaches made Florida Trend’s annual issue, “Florida 500”, a list comprised of the most influential business leaders in the state of Florida.
More than 30 of these leaders are BDB members, investing in economic development to bring new companies to the area and foster the growth of local companies. In fact, just within the past five years, their investments have helped the BDB assist 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.
“The influentials identified here have a drive to ensure that Florida – with a population now at more than 21 million and growing by more than 900 new residents every day – moves forward in a positive direction, “ said David G. Denor, Publisher of Florida Trend 500. “They are assets to Florida, providing ideas and solutions to the issues that accompany rapid growth.”
13 of Florida’s Most Influential Leaders are a BDB Board of Director:
- Carey O’Donnell, President & Creative Director, O’Donnell Agency
- Harvey Oyer, Partner, Shutts & Bowen
- Fabiola Brumley – Palm Beach County President & Vice Chair, Business Banking National Executive, Bank of America
- Frank Compiani, Office Managing Partner, RSM US
- George Elmore, CEO, Hardrives
- Ken Kahn, Owner & President, LRP Media Group
- Kelly Smallridge, President & CEO, Business Development Board
- Mark Bellissimo, CEO, Equestrian Sport Productions
- Pepe Fanjul Jr., Executive Vice President, Florida Crystals
- Neil Merin, Chairman, NAI/Merin Hunter Codman
- John Kelly, President, Florida Atlantic University
- Ava Parker, President, Palm Beach State College
- Bill Perry, CEO & Managing Shareholder, Gunster
30 total are BDB members. Here are some from the list:
- Avenir Holdings – Rosa Schechter
- Breakers Palm Beach – Paul Leone
- Crocker Partners – Angelo Bianco
- Florida Power & Light – Eric Silagy
- G4S Secure Solutions – Drew Levine
- Kolter Group – Bobby Julien
- Max Planck Florida – David Fitzpatrick
- Modernizing Medicine – Daniel Cane
- NCCI – Bill Donnell
- Nova Southeastern University – George Hanbury
- Oasis Outsourcing – Mark Perlberg
- Office Depot – Gerry Smith
- Oxbow Carbon – Bill Koch
- Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts – Judith Mitchell
- Rybovich – H. Wayne Huizenga Jr.
- SBA Communications – Jeff Stoops
- TBC – Erik Olsen
The influencers were categorized in sectors such as agriculture, finance, infotech, law, insurance, life sciences, energy, and manufacturing, as well as arts, entertainment, sports, education, hospitality, tourism, media, non-profits, professional services, real estate, wholesale, and transportation.