Newsmakers: People to watch in Palm Beach County business, civic life

May 22--BUSINESS

The Economic Council of Palm Beach County announced that Joseph Arthur Rooney, Sr. will serve as acting president and CEO of the non-profit organization, as it continues a search for a permanent president and CEO. Rooney holds numerous degrees including a bachelor's of science degree in food service management, master's of science degree in food service and hotel management and a doctorate in business administration. His experience in service industries and hospitality management, both from an operational and academic standpoint, give him unique perspectives that will help guide the council. Rooney serves on the Board of Overseers for the American College Dublin and the Board of Directors of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. He has also served as a member of the executive committee of the Economic Council.

EDUCATION

Joy Woodworth, a senior instructor of computer engineering at Florida Atlantic University, was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Schoolhouse Children's Museum & Learning Center in Boynton Beach. Woodworth has a master's degree in computer science from Florida Atlantic University.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

Jennifer Morton of JMorton Planning & Landscape Architecture announced that the State of Florida has awarded a Minority and Women's Business Enterprise certification to the company. JMorton services residential and commercial developers with entitlements, land planning, zoning, hardscape and landscape design, and representation. In addition, the firm is a State of Florida certified vendor and is registered to partner on RFP's.

LEGAL

Gunster, Florida full-service business law firm, announce that its director of attorney recruitment and professional development Brad Sprayberry has been elected to the board of directors of the National Association for Law Placement for its 2016-2017 term, beginning in April 2016. Sprayberry was selected from U.S. and Canadian law firm candidates to fill one of six director and officer seats open this year. The full board is comprised of 13 directors and officers, serving staggered terms. At Gunster's West Palm Beach office, Sprayberry is responsible for managing the hiring of all attorneys at the firm in addition to its internal professional development efforts.

Kitroser & Associates in West Palm Beach announced that Michael W. Connors has joined its law practice as Of Counsel. Connors led his family-owned practice in Palm Beach County for 20 years prior to joining Kitroser & Associates and is regarded for his expertise in elder law, probate, incapacity, guardianship, estate planning and government benefits eligibility. Board certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in the field of Elder Law, Connors holds a law degree from University of Florida. A frequent lecturer on Elder Law issues, Connors has taught Elder Law at Palm Beach Country Community College and volunteered his services to local community groups, including the Area Agency on Aging, the Alzheimer's Community Care Association, and the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.

Trial attorney Lorenzo Williams, senior partner, at the Law Offices of Gary, Williams, Parenti, Watson & Gary in Stuart, has been named a 2016 Heman Sweatt Honoree by the National Bar Association. The Heman Sweatt Award, named after the African American civil rights activist, who played an integral role in the desegregation of higher education, recognizes pioneers who demonstrate concern for human and civil rights. Williams was selected based on his accomplishments as a litigator, including his landmark settlements and verdicts and for his dedication to community service and various humanitarian efforts. During his 38 years of legal practice, Mr. Williams has successfully litigated more than 100 cases with verdicts and/or settlements exceeding $1 million.

Boyes, Farina & Matwiczyk in Palm Beach Gardens announced that the Florida Bar has appointed attorney Duane L. Pinnock chairman of its Wills, Trusts & Estates Board Certification Committee for the 2016-2017 term. Pinnock concentrates his practice in trusts and estates litigation and administration and estate and tax planning.

For more than a decade, Duane has represented beneficiaries, trustees, personal representatives and heirs. He assists clients in developing estate plans and administering complex trusts and estates. He also represents clients in related litigation and tax court controversies. Pinnock earned his juris doctor from University of Florida Levin College of Law and his master's of law degree in estate planning from University of Miami School of Law. He is presently the only African-American attorney in Florida who is Board Certified in Wills, Trusts & Estates by the Florida Bar.

MARKETING

Tony Pineda has joined Boca-Raton based Green Integrated Marketing Services as art director. He is a recent graduate of Digital Media Arts College.

REAL ESTATE

TNT Realty Group announced that it has joined Sotheby's International Realty's Palm Beach office. The addition of team members consists of Teresa Dailey and husband Troy Dailey, and husband and wife team David and Lori Dunham. Sotheby's International Realty was founded in 1976 as a real estate service for discerning clients of Sotheby's auction house and represents fine properties at a range of price points.

RECOGNITION

The Workers' Compensation Committee of the Palm Beach County Bar Association recently presented The Kennie Edwards Award for 2016 to attorney Jeffrey Friedman of West Palm Beach firm Vassallo, Bilotta, Friedman & Davis. The Kennie Edwards Award is presented annually to a Workers' Compensation attorney who best exemplifies honesty, integrity, cordiality, good humor, high ethical standards and advocacy tempered by a sense of humility.

The O'Donnell Agency, West Palm Beach public relations, advertising and digital media companies, won 18 ADDY Awards -- including five golds -- from the American Advertising Federation of the Treasure Coast. The Gold awards included a fundraising brochure for Oxbridge Academy, brochure category; Small Business Saturday sidewalk and window decals for West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority in the out-of-home installation category; and an office move announcement video in the self-promotion brand elements category. The Gold ADDY is recognition of the highest level of creative excellence and is judged to be superior to all other entrants in the competition.

The agency took home 13 Silver ADDYs. They recognized the development of logos for the Riviera Beach Marina Village; Education Foundation of Palm Beach County; HeadWaters at Origins; and the Arden logo for Freehold Communities. Also winning Silvers in this category were the agency's work for the City of Riviera Beach's economic development brochure; Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency annual report; SkyBike welcome poster; and Michael R. McCarty's print advertisement. O'Donnell Agency also received silver for some of its own promotional materials, including the agency's 20th anniversary event invitation; walking man logo that appears as exterior building signage; Social Hour cross-platform campaign; Agency Anthem in the copywriting category; and Agency website video.

Association for Women in Communications South Florida Chapter honored public relations specialist Linda Hamburger for her achievements in public relations, advocacy, and as a mentor through her role as the founder of the South Florida Public Relations Network, president of On Call PR and On Call Resumes, Boca Raton.

The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience in Jupiter recently received the Life Sciences South Florida Lifees Award at eMerge Americas in Miami. The Lifees Award honors organizations that are leaders in the life sciences and have demonstrated a commitment to furthering the industry through education and collaboration. Among the accolades listed during the institute's recognition were its partnership with Florida Atlantic University and community engagement through events like the Brain Bee Challenge and public lectures at local high schools.

Karin Daly, vice president of integrative media for Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Boca Raton, has been named to DTC Perspectives' 2016 list of Top Hospital Marketers of the Year. The class of ten will be honored at an induction ceremony in Atlanta. The awards recognize hospital marketers driving innovation, spearheading great creative, and working toward better branding for their hospital, health system, or facility. Honorees were judged based on industry reputation, accomplishments and innovation among their peers, partners, and media.

The Northern Palm Beach Chapter of the American Business Women's Association named Sam Markwell 2016 Chapter Woman of the Year. Markwell, spent 20 years in the U.S. Army reaching the rank of sergeant first class, teaching LPN courses and supervising co-workers in the hospital environment. She has worked in all aspects of health care from outpatient care to nursing home care. After retiring from the Army, she was recalled for two months to test and retrain members of the ARNG and the Army Reserves during Desert Storm. About ten years ago, Sam started her own business to educate, empower and entertain women 18 years and older. Since 1976, Sam has held a CPR instructor position and conducts classes at the VA Hospital and Gold's Gym. A member of the association since 2013, Markwell is the current secretary. In addition, she is the fundraising chair, community service chair and social event chair.

RETAIL

Sawgrass Mills, in Sunrise, welcomed David Gott, a 19-year Simon veteran, as its new general manager. He will oversee the financial, marketing and operational performance of the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the U.S. Gott, who worked early in his retail career in South Florida, comes to Sawgrass Mills from the Chicago area where he was the general manager of Simon's Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Ill. There, he spearheaded a multi-million dollar renovation and center court transformation. Gott also previously managed Fashion Centre Pentagon City and Office Tower, Potomac Mills and St. Charles Town Center. Before joining Simon, he worked as a buyer for Nordstrom. Gott earned a bachelor's of science degree in economics from Northern Illinois University.

THERAPY

Joy Kevelson, licensed mental health counselor of Jupiter, earned the Registered Play Therapist credential conferred by the Association for Play Therapy. To become a Registered Play Therapist, applicants must have earned a traditional master's or higher mental health degree from an institution of higher education, 150 clock hours of play therapy training, two years and 2,000 hours of clinical experience, 500 hours of supervised play therapy experience, and be licensed or certified by their state boards of practice.

To submit an announcement for Local Business People to Watch, please email a short description of the new hire, promotion or award, along with the location of the business and a high-resolution photo of the person to [email protected]

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