Best businesses, professionals, business people in Palm Beach County

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:

Longtime local agent joins Beach Homes Realty

Florida-based agent John Fortino has moved his real estate license to Beach Homes Realty — a national beach-focused real estate company. Fortino, a seasoned real estate agent, specializes in the markets of Southeast Florida, particularly the Gold Coast from Palm Beach to Miami Beach. Growing up in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, he has witnessed the region’s transformation from a quaint seaside tourist spot to a bustling metropolitan area spanning three counties. Beach Homes Realty is a licensed real estate brokerage in 14 states and is growing rapidly into additional states.

Conservation group names director of retail and sustainability

The Coastal Stewards, a Boca Raton-based nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and study of marine life and the coastal ecosystem, recently announced that Nija Peterkin will be joining the team as director of retail and sustainability. Peterkin replaces Jean Deluca, who retired this month. In this role, Peterkin will be responsible for overall management and operation of The Coastal Stewards gift store located at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton as well as online.

West Palm, Port St. Lucie firm adds associate personal injury attorney

Marie Cox joins Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa Attorneys at Law as an associate personal injury attorney. She represents people who have been injured due to the negligence of another person, organization or entity. Prior to joining the firm, Cox worked for insurance companies against claims of construction defect and personal injury. Rosenthal, Levy, Simon and Sosa Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa has been fighting for the rights of the injured for almost 40 years with offices in West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie.

Two attorneys at Boca-based firm recognized as Florida Super Lawyers

Attorneys Michael K. Grife and Catherine C. Darlson of The Grife Law Firm were recognized by Florida Super Lawyers for 2024. Grife was included on the Super Lawyers list for Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice; Darlson was named a Rising Star for Medical Malpractice and Products Liability. Based in Boca Raton, the Grife Law Firm’s personal injury lawyer team is focused on being a victim’s source for guidance after a catastrophic accident, injury, or untimely death.

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County announces board chair

Distinguished community leader Barry S. Berg was recently named the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s new board chair for a two-year term, succeeding immediate past board chair Susan Shulman Pertnoy. The announcement was made during the group’s annual meeting at Temple Emanu-El on Palm Beach with more than 250 guests in attendance. Berg is recognized among Palm Beach County’s most dedicated leaders, having served as founding chairman of Leadership Palm Beach County, founding board member of Children’s Services Council, and as Florida Chair of ADL.

Gulfstream Goodwill Industries adds three board members

The president and CEO for Gulfstream Goodwill Industries Karen Davidson recently announced the addition of three new board members. Doug Campbell, Tim Reever and Raymond Zucaro have been appointed to help further Gulfstream Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through housing, training, education and employment, while assisting people with disabilities and other employment barriers to become self-sufficient members of the community. Gulfstream Goodwill Industries is a private, non-profit agency serving Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties for over 55 years. It is the largest homelessness provider in its five-county region and the largest health and human services organization in its territory.