In our weekly list of business people on the move, we highlight Palm Beach County professionals who are making a difference. These are people from across the spectrum of public and private endeavors, those working in charities, court houses, private practices and beyond. They are moving up within their industry, advancing their careers and standing out for their services within our community.
Here are this week’s professional standouts:
Center for Creative Education appoints nonprofit manager
The Center for Creative Education recently announced the appointment of Jesi Moler-Catala as its new advancement manager for development. Moler-Catala brings more than 15 years of nonprofit experience and a dynamic vision to the role, aiming to further the center’s mission to disrupt educational inequality and ensure all students have access to quality learning experiences through the arts. In her new role, Moler-Catala will manage the West Palm Beach-based center’s fundraising database, donor relations, fundraising appeals and coordinate events for continued growth and success. She will also support the Center for Creative Education in meeting its capital campaign and annual operating goals.
Publication gives three Greenberg Traurig attorneys high rankings
Three attorneys in the West Palm Beach office of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A. were recognized in the 2024 edition of the Chambers and Partners USA Guide. Shareholders Joseph C. Coates III, Tracy L. Gerber, co-managing shareholder of the West Palm Beach office and co-chair of the firm’s broker-dealer securities litigation practice, and Bradford D. Kaufman, co-president of Greenberg Traurig, all received Band 1 rankings for Securities Litigation in Florida. Gerber also is recognized by Chambers for Florida Labor & Employment.
Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County announces 2024-25 board
The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County recently announced at its annual meeting its slate of officers for the 2024-25 board. The executive committee includes: president: Regine Bataille, M.D. of Delray Beach with Gentle Medicine Associates; vice presidents: Sharon Hill of West Palm Beach, community volunteer and retired Palm Beach County librarian, and Grace Halabi of Boynton Beach, senior vice president at First Horizon; secretary: Aurora Arthay of Palm Beach Gardens, deputy library director at the Palm Beach County Library System; treasurer: Caleb Bowser of Palm Beach Gardens, second vice president and senior associate at Northern Trust; members at large: Chris Duke of Palm Beach Gardens with Akerman LLP and Laurie Gildan of North Palm Beach with Greenberg Traurig; immediate past president: Matthew Criscuolo of Boca Raton with Cozen O’Connor; parliamentarians: Debra Ghostine of Boca Raton, community volunteer, Len Gray of Palm Beach Gardens, retired executive, and Bernadette O’Grady of Palm Beach Gardens with WPTV Channel 5.
Boca Raton pastor joins Food For The Poor board
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the United States, is pleased to announce the appointment of pastor Bill Mitchell to its board of directors. Mitchell brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to service to his new role. He currently serves as coaching pastor at Boca Raton Community Church in Boca Raton, a position he transitioned to in 2023 after serving as the church pastor for 20 years. Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, feeds millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 15 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean in addition to providing emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance.
Property management group earns accreditation
Well Maintained Properties has earned accreditation from the National Home Watch Association. The NHWA was formed in 2009 in order to establish and maintain the highest industry standards for home watch and absentee homeowner services throughout the United States and Canada. Home watch is a visual inspection of a home or property, looking for obvious issues at your vacation or primary home while you are not in residence. Owner Austin Fenn and his wife, Tara, are originally from Texas, but they now call South Florida home. Well Maintained Properties serves West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Palm Beach, Lake Worth Beach, Loxahatchee, Westlake, Loxahatchee Groves, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Royal Palm Estates, Golden Lakes, and Wellington.
United Franchise Group appoints three to top positions
United Franchise Group, home to an affiliated family of brands and consultants, has appointed three experienced employees to key positions. The company promoted Meghan Fletcher to director of launch services and Donna Wichman to vice president of operations for the United Franchise Group brand Signarama. It also hired Cathy Jean-Louis as director of compliance. United Franchise Group is home to an affiliated family of brands and consultants including Signarama, Fully Promoted, Transworld Business Advisors, Exit Factor, Accurate Franchising Inc., Franchise Real Estate, the Vast Coworking Group division comprised of Venture X, Office Evolution and Intelligent Office, and Big Flavor Brands with The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, Graze Craze and Cannoli Kitchen Pizza.
Local Habitat for Humanity takes three awards
Local nonprofit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County received three prestigious awards in May for its outstanding work serving the communities in Palm Beach County. On May 8, it was recognized as the Not-for-Profit Developer of the Year at The Housing Leadership Council of Palm Beach County’s Annual Housing Heroes Luncheon. This award recognizes certified developers or nonprofits who are leaders in creating and supporting workplace and affordable housing. That day, the Greater Miami Festivals & Events Association presented Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County with the Best Event of the Year Award for the success of the organization’s Women Build 2024 campaign. The event was the number one Habitat Women Build in the nation and broke fundraising and attendance records. Then on May 23, the organization won the Health and Human Services Organization of the Year award by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches during their 2024 Business Awards. This exceptional accolade celebrates organizations that have shown commitment to community involvement and expertise in their work. Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Palm Beach County has built 431 new homes, revitalized 757 existing homes, and partnered with over 1,180 families and individuals in need of safe, decent, and affordable housing in Palm Beach County.
If you are looking for more insight into the movers and shakers operating in the Palm Beaches, subscribe to our real estate newsletter, The Dirt, keep an eye out for stories and perspective from veteran reporters Kimberly Miller and Alexandra Clough. If you have an announcement for Business People on the Move, please send it to [email protected].
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
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