Contents

President’s Message 06

Leadership Program Nurtures Professionals Who
Will Shape Fort Lauderdale’s Future 10

Changing Technology is a Constant Presence in
Fort Lauderdale 16

InterMiami Fans Get a Kick Out of Lionel Messi 22

Black Female Entrepreneurs “Level Up” in Broward County 30

Chairman’s Circle 38

2023 Board of Directors 39

Welcome New Members! 45

Renewing Members! 46

Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce

(Vol. 4) 2023 Spring Issue | Digital Quarterly Magazine

512 NE 3rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

www.ftlchamber.com | 954-462-6000

On TheCover:

Photo of Cindy M. Diffenderfer, CEO, Orion Haus Homes & Hotels taken by Downtown Photo

This is a Town Square Publications, formerly MetroMedia (since 1997), publication created and produced for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce

512 NE 3rd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

954-462-6000 | www.ftlchamber.com

Copyright © 2023 Town Square Publications

P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006

(847) 427-4905 | marketing@tspubs.com

www.TownSquarePublications.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Chamber and Town Square assume no responsibility for misinformation. Please contact the Chamber with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the Chamber and Town Square is prohibited.

Chairman, CEO and Publisher | Douglas K. Ray

President and Chief Operating Officer | Scott Stone

Vice President / Director | Scott Ray

Managing Director | David Small

Director of Production | Ryan Moore

Sales Rep | Wayne Metcalf

Editor | Lisa Beth White

Project Manager | Mike Nickells

Leadership Program Nurtures Professionals Who Will Shape Fort Lauderdale's Future

By Dave Hoffman

Fort Lauderdale is a rich and complex ecosystem of stakeholders driven by enthusiasm and innovation. So, it’s no surprise that the community is proactive about training its future leaders. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Fort Lauderdale program takes promising young professionals and introduces them to the inner workings of this complex community in hopes that they will become impactful leaders as their career progresses.

“Part of Leadership Fort Lauderdale is to take ownership of the present and the future,” said Chamber Chair Jack Seiler. Seiler is a former member of the Florida House of Representatives and Mayor of Ft. Lauderdale. His earliest relationship with the program was as a speaker presenting to participants. “Leadership Ft. Lauderdale prepares them to take ownership. I wanted people to be community builders, people who are elevating the community, elevating businesses and lifting up the community.” Seiler’s daughter subsequently went through the program, and Seiler himself is currently Chairman of the Board of the Chamber.

The program, now in its 30th year, runs from September to May. Participants meet with communities to truly understand the inner workings of Ft. Lauderdale and Broward County.

“We got to see the inner workings of what makes a complex community like this one work,” said 2023 graduate Cindy Diffenderfer, a serial entrepreneur who owns and operates Airbnb-friendly apartment buildings as president and CEO of Orion Haus. “As a civilian, we don’t really see how our communities are managed and run, so we take for granted a lot of things. It was valuable to learn that and share with my colleagues, friends and family. You gain appreciation for things that we touch and feel every day, but don’t really get to see behind the scenes.”

Participants are selected across government, non-profit and for-profit sectors. The group meets once a month for eight-hour sessions where they meet with leaders from a broad range of areas, including the maritime industry, tourism, civil engineering and sheriff’s office. They also learn about services to address homelessness, healthcare and education.

“The goal is for individual participants to be out of work and fully immersed in the program for the day,” said Captain Renee Peters of the County Sheriff’s Office, program graduate and this year’s Curriculum Chair. “The first day is history day, so we’ll meet downtown and go through the history of Ft. Lauderdale, how we became a tourism destination, the growth of the marine industry, and gain perspectives on how it was built. You need to understand Ft. Lauderdale if you’re going to fix some of the issues we have and move forward.”

The following months drill down on a different sector or industry, allowing young leaders to get past gatekeepers and develop relationships with current leaders. In addition to the benefit for the participants, the community benefits by actively shaping future leadership.

“The more people know, the better they are as citizens,” said Denise Jordan, executive vice president of the Chamber. “People want to learn about public affairs. How do you govern? What kinds of procedures do you have? How do people get things done?”

Seiler recalls seeing young professionals going through the program early in their career, giving him the confidence to appoint them to city boards or task forces.

“I loved talking to that next generation of leaders, listening, learning and becoming aware of what they’re concerned about and what they had to offer,” he said. “Since I became Chair of the Chamber, I’ve become more impressed. We’re creating a whole new class of leaders, and there is something to be said about that.”

Changing Technology is a Constant Presence in Fort Lauderdale

By Dave Hoffman

For a humble, non-technical business owner, technological advances can be a double-edged sword. For every application or device that makes running a business easier, there are dozens of new processes, learning curves and dead ends waiting in the shadows to drain resources. South Florida is a hub for some of the most disruptive innovations in recent memory – the first smart phone was invented there as a collaboration between Motorola and IBM – and it continues to host leading technological innovators. While tech companies continue to thrive, The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber helps non-tech businesses navigate this constantly evolving landscape.

The Technology Council is one of 31 chamber councils designed to help businesses exceed their own expectations through networking and education.

“The role is to help the average person understand the changing technologies that are out there so they can use them to their advantage and not become a dinosaur in the years ahead,” said Ron Szpatura, president and founder of Landmark Marketing and council chair. “It’s about understanding these many applications and how they can apply them to their businesses to use for their advantage.”

The council serves members through monthly meetings that are held online or at the Chamber office. The meetings are built around a topic designed to help business owners better understand and implement current technologies to help facilitate their businesses.

“One month we may have a speaker on cybersecurity,” said Szpatura. “The next month may be a meeting where we’ll share best practices on CRMs or email marketing.”

Broward County’s tech industry looms in the background. Its marine economy makes it a hotbed for companies researching climate technology. But institutions such as Motorola and IBM also have homes there. As companies grow and then downsize, innovative workers are freed up to start new ventures.

“When you look at tech, it’s constantly evolving, and companies looking to stay on the cutting edge evolve with it,” said David Coddington, senior vice president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and Chamber Board member. “Tech changes constantly across targeted industries like marine, life sciences and aviation.”

The Alliance works to help new companies in these industries come to the area or for companies currently here to stay or expand. Tech is a theme that threads across industries.

“We’re working with a company that makes electric boats. That will be a mass change,” said Coddington. “Medical devices are a niche within life sciences, and aviation put a lot of resources into the evolution of jet engines, making them greener and more efficient. Tech changes constantly across the targeted industries.”

With all the cutting edge innovation, it’s easy for non-tech companies to get lost in the shuffle. And that’s why the Chamber works through its Technology Council to keep them on board.

“We’re always trying to keep our clients and prospects high on the technology curve,” said Michael Goldstein, president and CEO of LAN InfoTech and council member. “A lot of times clients don’t want to be first on the tech curve, but don’t want to be the last. Right now, we’re trying to educate people on AI.”

The robust tech presence allows companies like Goldstein’s and Szpatura’s to offer added value as advisors.

“I think people don’t realize that there is a lot of tech in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area,” said Goldstein. “In general, we’re affiliating ourselves with the tech presence as a Microsoft partner. Being a reseller of local companies like Citrix or Kaseya makes it easier to connect with those executives and see, touch and feel the tech.”

Learn more about the technology companies in the area by visiting www.techgateway.org.

InterMiami Fans Get a Kick
Out of Lionel Messi

By Dave Hoffman

Fort Lauderdale became the epicenter for the most popular sport in the world when soccer star Lionel Messi signed on to play for Inter Miami CF earlier this year. One of the most recognizable names in all of sports, Messi not only brought the team to a new level of skill, he brought fans to a new level of excitement.

“The day that Lionel Messi announced that he was going to play for Inter Miami, you saw the popularity of the team skyrocket,” said Stephanie Toothaker, legal counsel for the team. “It was palpable when he walked out onto the field wearing the jersey for the first time. It was impossible to get tickets.”

The Argentine superstar joined Inter Miami CF as a forward and team captain. He made his career playing for FC Barcelona in Spain, where he won a total of 44 trophies, making him the most decorated soccer player ever. He has scored more than 815 goals, and is the only player in history to win six European Golden Boot awards, presented to the top scorer of the season across all European leagues.

Signing Messi was a triumph for a team that got off to a rocky start. Founded in 2018, the team was ready to begin playing in 2020 right at the beginning of the COVID lockdowns. They finally took the field in 2021 in stadiums that were empty due to restrictions. Finally, later that year, fans were invited in to watch.

“Like any new team in sports, the players needed to get to know each other, to get into a rhythm with each other,” Toothaker said. “The team was on a slow rise and was extremely popular. Since Messi decided to join, along with a few other players he knew like Sergio Busquets and Jordie Alba, they’ve never lost a game.”

Messi has already become a fixture around town. He’s bought a home and has been joined by his parents, children and the rest of his immediate family, as have the other new team members. In August, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis gave him a key to the city as a thank you for the excitement and attention he’s brought to the city.

“They’re settling in, and we’ve put out the welcome mat for them. It’s important to us because it means he’s family oriented,” said Trantalis. “Among the athletes we see around here, he’s one who really cares about people. He’s a team player. He’s not one to hog attention, he’s there to win as a team player. He’s a great role model because of his manner. We hope when he retires he’ll be a regular person around town. He’s a role model not only for the team members, but also for kids.”

Black Female Entrepreneurs “Level Up” in Broward County

By Dave Hoffman

Level Up is a Business forum exclusively for black women entrepreneurs in the City of Deerfield Beach. This initiative is in partnership with the Chamber and the City of Deerfield Beach. The program helps business owners find colleagues and mentors who can help them grow their business.

“Entrepreneurship is kind of lonely,” said Vanessa Charles, owner of Circle of Wellness Enterprises, a Ft. Lauderdale-based mental health clinic for women. “I’m navigating entrepreneurship, and sometimes I have questions. Sometimes I don’t know what kinds of resources are available. During the first meeting, it was very welcoming. Nobody felt intimidated by anyone, everyone was open to sharing what worked for their business. I was introduced to many women who were established and open to talking about ways to expand my business.”

Charles launched her business after noticing a gap in services for women suffering from perinatal depression and anxiety.

“I noticed that Perinatal Mood Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) wasn’t getting diagnosed a lot because many providers were missing it, and there is a stigma,” Charles said. “Many people don’t like talking about it.”

One of the connections she made from the program included a podcaster who invited her onto her show as a way of spreading the word and addressing the stigma.

The meetings often feature a panel of experts in various fields followed by a question and answer session. After the sessions, participants are broken into groups for more targeted networking between members who may not know each other.

Another member, Carolyn Dudley, is a full-time teacher who runs Creative Designs by Carolyn, an events and decorating business. She sees the program as a fantastic opportunity to share her knowledge with the next generation.

“I’ve been in business for more than 30 years,” said Dudley. “Being in it so long, I wanted to reach out and start sharing my knowledge with younger women who are aspiring to get into the business and helping them level it up. My philosophy is if I pass away with the knowledge, it stops, but if I pass it along to younger people, it lives on.”

Indeed, Charles finds the access to mentors to be a huge benefit of the program.

“It’s easy to network with people who are on your level,” she said. “When it came to finding people who were higher up for some kind of mentorship, the facilitator was open to connecting me with mentors. It’s difficult to find someone on that level who’s open to sharing advice and resources.”

2023 Board of Directors

Jack Seiler

Chairman of the Board

Burnadette Norris-Weeks

Chair-Elect

Debbie Danto

2025 Chair-Elect Designate

Anthony Abbate

Mary Adams

Alec Bogdanoff

Ellyn Bogdanoff

Kareen Boutros

Chris Calabro

Greg Chavarria

Danielle Clermont

David Coddington

Tony Cordo

Jonathan Daniels

Angie Davis

Mark Doyle

Audra Durham

Candice Ericks

Robert Esposito

Bill Feinberg

Ilanit Fischler

Mark Gale

Melanie Geddes

Lynn Goldman

Michael Goodman

Heather Havericak

Rion Heldibridle

Lacey Hofmeyer

Bill Holland

John Jones

Joseph Karl, CFA

Barbora Kassdikian

Kelly Kolb

Joshua Korlin

Ina Lee

Sarah Leonardi

Stuart Levy

Janna Lhota

Dan Lindblade, CAE

Sandra Mayor

Rozeta Mahboubi

Jean McIntyre

Maria Medina

Ann Mihaiu

Melissa Milroy

Jenni Morejon

Karen Prescod

David Reece

Dr. Ty Richardson

Jean-Francois Roy

Anthony Santana

Theresa Sebastian

Kathryn Salerno

Vanessa Seltzer

Mark Shim

Tobin Slaven

Adam Spiegel

Gregory Stuart

Marie Suarez

Ron Szpatura

Stephen Tilbrook

Tamas Vago

Elizabeth Van Zandt

William Walker

Lori Wheeler

Dennis Wright

Vince Yarina

Donelle Zunker

Chamber staff: 2023

Dan Lindblade, CAE

President & CEO

Denise Jordan

Executive Vice President

Jenny De Borja

Business Development Executive

Jasmin Scaggs

Director of Business Solutions

Dolores Molina

Administrative Coordinator

Doug Frens

Membership Retention

Jay Martinez

Business Development Executive

Maureen Miller

Membership Manager

Joshua Saunders

Communications Manager

Liza Soto

Executive Assistant

Rene Michel

Building Maintenance

Jay Vitarelli, CPA

CFO

Janet Grossman

Finance

Welcome New Members!

A1A Hospitality LLC - dba McSorley’s ABC Cares Foundation

Adache Group Architects

Adhesion Co.

Adler Social

AdRetreaver LLC

Align with Intent

Amazing Life-Life Coaching

American Cancer Society

Ancona Real Estate

ark nonprofit consulting

Artis Senior Living - Davie

Bahama Breeze - Oakland Park

Bayview Dental, LLC

Beach RunnerZ, LLC

Black Oak Financial LLC

Bodega Taqueria y Tequila

Breezy Tiki

Brightpoint Infotech

Brightway Insurance, The Mavic Agency

Britgetsreal -- ReMax First

Broward County Convention Center

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company

Business Gliders LLC

Captain Experiences

Cayuga Centers

Chateau Mar Golf Resort

Children First Community Homes & Services

Chris Mazzara, LLC

Chuck Harder & Associates

Circle of Wellness Enterprises LLC

Coldwell Banker - Kelly Coughlin

Comcast Business

Consult RX Pharmacy LLC

Covenant House

CrossCountry Mortgage

CSI DMC

Custom Cabinet Doors & More, Inc.

CycleBar Fort Lauderdale

Denison Yachting

Destiny Fulfilled Outreach Ministries, Inc.

DFit Training Studio

DRYWALL INTERIOR SOLUTIONS

Dynamic Earth, LLC

Eastern Acupuncture And Wellness

Eco-Terra Clean

Edward Jones

Elbaz Construction

Factel, Inc.

Federal Engineering & Testing, Inc

First Family Insurance

FLL Business Solution Corp.

Flamingo Foot & Ankle, PA

Florida Integrated Security

Florin Roebig

Fort Lauderdale Dumpsters by Precision Disposal

Frost & Associates, LLC

Global Presence Marketing

Guy Harvey Foundation

Habitat for Humanity of Broward

Habitat for Leadership

HANDY (Helping Abused, Neglected, Disadvantaged Youth)

Healthee MD

Heal the Planet Together

Heart Gallery of Broward County, Inc.

Hosanna Corporation/Hosanna4Youth

Human Interest

IBEW Local Union 728

I Heart Mac and Cheese

Invenio Coaching

iStream Direct

J. Hilburn Custom Men’s Clothing

Jack and Jill Children’s Center, Inc.

Journey Event Center, LLC

JP Morgan Private Bank

Kindred Hospital & Acute

Knowsys Group USA Ltd.

Land Title Solutions

LaurieAnne Minoff - Costa Bella Realty Group

Liquivida Wellness Center Lauderdale Beach

Maison Du Crab

MANAH

Marine Research Hub

Mauti Health, LLC

Microtech Computer Services, LLC

Minting House

Modern Creators Law Firm, PLLC

Moxies

MSF Property Management, LLC

My Psychiatrist

Newcastle Mobile Notary

Newsworthy Stories

Northwestern Mutual

Omega Van Services

Orangetheory Fitness

Paige O’Mahoney PA

PAINT Nail Bar

Pair Payments

Peach Cobbler Factory

Planet Fitness

Provenance Wealth Advisors

R.E.D.D. Learning Academy

Ready Payday Loans

Ready Set Go Beyond LLC

Rehabilitation Unit South Florida Ft. Lauderdale

Relief Inc.

R-Motivation

RMS Building Envelope Consultants, LLC

RNB Capital LLC

RSM US LLP

Santiago’s Bodega

Savage Global Marketing

ShineTV Skyline Marketing

Small Wine Shop

Sotheby’s Opulent Group - Jennifer Leong & Nicole Di Leo

South Florida Breeze

STUDIO ROMAN

Sunrise High School

Sweat440 Deerfield

Synergy Marketing Consultants

The Coaching Network

The Concierge Practice

The Gateway at Cypress Creek

The Grant Cardone Foundation

The Hollywood Donut Factory

The Marin Machine, LLC

The People Institute

The Two Todds LLC

The Welcome Center (Sheila D. White Youth Center)

Timpano Las Olas

Think Big Go Local, Inc.

Tin Roof Fort Lauderdale

Urban Group & Associates, LLC

Visuals by Momo LLC

VoiceBox Podcast & Creator’s Studio, LLC

voodoo brewing

Willie T’s Seafood Shack

Wisdom Senior Care

Women Voice Network

Wright Dynasty, LLC

Xposur Media

YOT Bar & Kitchen

YourBartenderDezire LLC- Mobile Bar & Event Services

Zeverino Elder Care Solutions

RENEWING MEMBERS!

360 Fire & Flood

AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach

Accrisoft Corporation

Affiliated Development

Al Siefert Electric

Allied Kitchen and Bath

Allstate, Catherine Grady Insurance Inc

Birnbaum, Lippman & Gregoire, PLLC

Bobby Rodriguez Productions

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

Brazilian Business Group

BrightStar Credit Union

Broward County Cultural Division

Broward County Family Success/Community Action Age

Broward County Libraries

Broward Housing Solutions

Calvin, Giordano & Associates

Castelli Real Estate Services

Central Beach Alliance

City of Deerfield Beach

Counter Intelligence Services

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach

Courtyard by Marriott Weston

COYO TACO Daoud’s Fine Jewelry

Cruise Planners - Polly Hemstock

Deerfield Beach Historical Society

DRT Behavioral Services - Brain Love

Ellie Mills State Farm

Ellis Diversified, Inc.

Embraer Executive Aircraft

Equality Florida

Fellowship recovery community organization Incorporated

First Southeast Mortgage Co.

Fiske & Company

Fort Lauderdale Stays, Inc.

Friends of Birch State Park

Funky Buddha Brewery

Gang Alternative, Inc.

Giannell Title

Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida

GKHair LLC

Grant Thornton LLP

Green Key Partners

Gumberg Asset Management/Coral Ridge Mall

Hardcore Advertising

Healing Arts Institute of South Florida International, Inc.

HOERBIGER Service, Inc.

Hooper Construction, Inc.

Hotel Maren Fort Lauderdale Beach

Hugh’s Catering

Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale 17th Street Convention Center

Integrated Financial Concepts

Jewish Family Service of Broward County

J.P. Reynolds Company., Inc.

Jungle Queen Riverboat, Inc.

Junior Achievement of South Florida

Kenneth Ortner, CPA

L2L Marketing + Communications

Landmarks Digital

LEVEL realty

LifeNet4Families

List Industries

Loughlin Law

Mad 4 Marketing, Inc.

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, Inc.

Manadu Corporation

Maus & Hoffman, Inc.

Miller Construction Company

Mink & Mink, Inc.

Minuteman Press of Wilton Manors

Museum of Discovery & Science

Navy League of U.S. Fort Lauderdale Council

Northwestern Mutual

Oleron, Inc.

One Global Business Financing

One South Florida Wealth Advisors

Pace Center for Girls Broward

Palisades Hudson Financial Group LLC

Payrolls Plus

Plunge Beach Resort

Posh Lounge

Premier Hotel Realty

Rainbow Roofing Solutions

Resolve Maritime Academy

Robert F. Cowdrey, Bank Consultant

Rogers, Morris & Ziegler

RSVP of South Florida

Safeway Moving Systems

SBDC at Florida Atlantic University

Seiler, Sautter, Zaden, Rimes & Wahlbrink

Selza International Inc.

South Florida Commuter Services (SFCS) - A Program of FDOT

South Florida Hospital & Healthcare Association, Inc.

South Florida Institute on Aging

Stirling Operations

Sweetie’s Italian Ice

Ted Hess Insurance Agency, Inc. - State Farm

The Bling Club

The Employee Relations Group LLC

The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship of Florida State University

The SMART Ride

The Strauss Law Firm, P.A.

Tom Jenkins Bar-B-Q

Toothaker.org

Tower Club

Trustbridge Hospice Foundation

USA Benefits Group

Valley National Bank

Water Taxi

World AIDS Museum and Educational Center

Wow Advisors - Walker Ostrowski Williams CPAs

Wyndham Garden Inn Fort Lauderdale Airport