For the fourth consecutive year, The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) honored a group of first responders at its Annual Heroes Breakfast on Friday, March 30. Presented with and held at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, this event continues the Chamber’s tradition of recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding individuals doing brave work in the community. For the first time this year, the Chamber honored one North Bay Village police officer and one Bal Harbour police officer for their brave work in their respective communities.
“The Annual Heroes Breakfast is one of the most popular events that the Chamber holds because it’s a community event,” said Jerry Libbin, Miami Beach Chamber Chairman President. “The business community gathers and celebrates the bravery of individuals who play a critical role in keeping our communities safe.”
“We’re honored to host the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Heroes Breakfast, recognizing the impactful role our first responders play within the community,” said Alex Tonarelli, Managing Director of Loews Miami Beach Hotel. “The men and women being honored to go above and beyond daily for residents and visitors alike, keeping us and our city safe.”
The City of Miami Beach Emergency Management Head Lazaro Guerra, Police Chief Dan Oates, Fire/Ocean Rescue Chief Virgil Fernandez, Captain of the Bal Harbour Police Department Raleigh Flowers and Captain of the North Bay Village Police Department Carlos Noriega presented the awards to the following first responders of their respective divisions:
- Andy Garcia-Montes (Miami Beach Ocean Rescue)
- Detective Bernadette Maher (Miami Beach Police Department)
- Catherine Palenzuela (Miami Beach Public Safety Communications Fire Rescue Unit)
- Swat Medic Joel Mizelle (Miami Beach Fire Department)
- Combat Division Chief Matthew Fisikelli (Miami Beach Fire Department)
- Sergeant Osvaldo “Ozzy” Mitat (Miami Beach Police Department)
- Terrie Hankoff (Miami Beach Public Safety Communications Police Unit)
- Officer William Myers (Bal Harbour Police Department)
- Detective Criminal Investigations Unit Manny Casais (North Bay Village Police Department)
The honorees are sponsored by a leading business or organization in the community:
- Atlantic Broadband
- BNI South Beach
- CBS Labs
- City National Bank
- East Of Collins
- Galbut Family Miami Beach JCC on the Simkins Family Campus
- Hotwire Communications
- Mango’s Tropical Café
- Ocean Cadillac
- Vision Movies
Each honoree will receive gifts from the following sponsor organizations:
- Barre Motion
- Cafe Avanti
- Calligraphy by Elaine
- David L. Wrubel CPA
- Drinkhouse Fire & Ice
- Galbut Family Miami Beach JCC on the Simkins Family Campus
- Kendra Scott Color Bar
- Mango’s Tropical Café
- Miami Beach Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Center
- Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center
- Miami Children’s Museum
- Oxford Counseling Services
- Root Acupuncture
- Silver Airways
- Sobe Dentist
- Synergy Yoga
Drinkhouse Fire and Ice provided centerpieces of authentic combat boots worn by soldiers who fought in Afghanistan that have been transformed into works of art. Additionally, Vision Movies presented a special video package for the City of Miami Beach honorees.
The event is year round and open to the public.
