on May 22, at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort This annual ceremony celebrates the impact of the MPO’s significant role in planning and directing transportation and infrastructure projects
throughout the region and honors those who advocate for smart planning and connectivity.
WPLG Local 10’s Jacey Birch to Host Prominent Awards Program Honoring Community Transportation Advocates Glenn Wiltshire, Kareen Boutros, Bill Walker and Dodie Keith-Lazowick
Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)’s 2025State of the Region & Annual Awards presented by Memorial Healthcare System will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 22, at The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort (321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.).WPLG Local 10 Anchor Jacey Birch will host this prominent event organized by the Broward MPO and local partners. This annual ceremony celebrates the impact of the MPO’s significant role in planning and directing transportation and infrastructure projects throughout the region and honors those who advocate for smart planning and connectivity. This year’s distinguished honorees are Glenn Wiltshire (Lifetime Achievement Award), Kareen Boutros (Champion Award), Bill Walker (Visionary Award) and Dodie Keith-Lazowick(Community Impact Award).
“The State of the Region & Annual Awards honor the visionaries and changemakers shaping the future of Broward County’s transportation and infrastructure,” said Greg Stuart, executive director, Broward MPO. “This year’s theme is Miles of Success, and our honorees have each played a pivotal role in driving progress, fostering connectivity, and championing smart growth in our region. We are proud to recognize their achievements and ongoing commitment to improving mobility and economic development in South Florida.”
Glenn A. Wiltshire is the deputy port director for the Broward County Port Everglades Department, overseeing one of the world’s busiest cruise ports and a key hub for cargo and energy imports in Florida. With a 30-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard, Wiltshire brings extensive maritime expertise to managing port operations that generate more than $26.5 billion in annual economic activity and support nearly 10,000 direct jobs. Under his leadership, Port Everglades has introduced innovative technologies such as facial recognition and automated passport control while expanding infrastructure to accommodate increasing cruise, cargo, and petroleum volumes. Since joining Port Everglades in 2006, Wiltshire has played a key role in negotiating long-term commercial agreements, enhancing security measures, and managing capital improvements that have strengthened the port’s global standing. He serves as president of the Florida Ocean Alliance and is a South Florida District Export Council member for the U.S. Department of Commerce. Before his work in South Florida, Wiltshire served as the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port for New York/New Jersey and held key leadership roles in marine safety, security, and environmental protection. A native of Little Falls, NJ, he graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Wiltshire earned a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Kareen Boutros is the executive director of Broward Workshop, a private, non-partisan organization representing 120 CEOs committed to addressing critical issues and driving positive policy change in Broward County. With 27 years of experience collaborating across public, private, and civic sectors, she has been instrumental in advancing key regional initiatives, including the New River Crossing and Commuter Rail South on the FEC Corridor, Broward County’s Transportation Surtax, and the expansion of Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. A longtime Fort Lauderdale resident originally from Cairo, Egypt, Boutros is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a B.A. in International Business. She is also an alumna of Leadership Broward XXIV and Leadership Florida XXXIII. Her expertise in government affairs, business advocacy, and economic development has positioned her as a trusted leader in transportation, infrastructure, and resilience planning throughout South Florida. Boutros is deeply engaged in the community, serving on numerous boards and committees, including the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Coalition, Port Everglades Action Team, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, and Broward County Tourism Coalition. She is fluent in French and Arabic and is an avid traveler and outdoor enthusiast.
Bill Walker is a seasoned leader with a distinguished career spanning business, the marine industry, and public service. As principal and CEO of Water Taxi of Fort Lauderdale since 2007, he has transformed the company into a signature service for tourists and locals, enhancing connectivity along the waterways through strategic partnerships and a commitment to guest experience. His financial management, government relations, and brand development expertise have positioned Water Taxi as integral to the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood area’s transportation and tourism infrastructure. Before his success in South Florida, Walker founded and led Boston’s Best Cruises. This company revolutionized high-speed, ADA-accessible ferry service and operated major ventures like the New England Aquarium’s whale-watching tours and the Boston Harbor Islands National Park ferry system. His early career in deep-sea shipping and yacht construction laid the foundation for his leadership in marine transportation, earning him industry recognition, including the Super Yacht of the Year Award in 1993. Walker’s commitment to community engagement is evident in his roles on numerous boards, including the Marine Industry Association of South Florida, the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Winterfest and Go Riverwalk. A graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, he also serves as vice president of its foundation, supporting scholarships and capital initiatives. His dedication to innovation, safety, and service continues to shape the marine transportation industry in South Florida and beyond.
Dodie Keith-Lazowick is a second-generation professional surveyor with over 40 years of experience shaping Florida’s built environment. As chair of KEITH, she has led the firm’s expansion to over 200 technical and professional staff across five offices in Florida, delivering services in civil and transportation engineering, surveying and mapping, land planning, and construction management. Under her leadership, KEITH has earned recognition as a top family-owned and women-owned business, ranking No. 10 on South Florida Business Journal’s Top 25 Women-owned Businesses List in 2022. A lifelong Broward County resident, Keith-Lazowick is a respected advocate in government relations, streamlining permitting and approvals through her proactive approach. Her extensive planning, design, and construction expertise has made her a trusted leader in public and private sector projects, ensuring seamless execution from concept to completion. In addition to her professional success, she remains deeply engaged in the community, serving on multiple boards and committees to support philanthropic and development initiatives. She is known for her commitment to excellence, accountability, and integrity. Keith-Lazowick has been featured in the South Florida Business Journal for her role in growing KEITH into a leading firm while upholding her family’s core values. Through her leadership, KEITH continues to drive innovation and infrastructure growth across Florida and beyond.
Previous Broward MPO State of the Region & Annual Awards honorees include Dr. George L. Hanbury II, president of Nova Southeastern University, Rufus James, airport director at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Lori Baer, executive director of Port Everglades Association, Alan Hooper, co-founder of Urban Street Development for The Restaurant People in Fort Lauderdale, George Platt, governmental and public policy law attorney and lobbyist, Gail Bulfin, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance VP, Joseph Yesbeck, T.Y. Lin’s International Rail and Transit Line of Business director, Beverly and Levoyd Williams, regional government officials and power couple policy makers, Richard Blattner, former Hollywood commissioner and past Broward MPO board chair, Christine Hunschofsky [D-96], Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), Fort Lauderdale Chapter, Florida House of Representatives member and Sheila Rose, deputy city manager.
The event is presented by Memorial Healthcare System and supported by lead sponsors Deloitte, Port Everglades, WSP USA plus others such as Becker, Benesch, Brightline, Broward County Aviation Department, Broward County Transit, Broward Workshop, Cambridge Systematics, City of Coconut Creek, City of Deerfield Beach, City of Fort Lauderdale, City of Hollywood, City of Miramar, City of Pembroke Pines, City of Plantation, City of Pompano, City of Sunrise, City of Tamarac, CTS Engineering, Florida East Coast Railway, Florida Power & Light, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, G.L. Homes of Florida, HDR Engineering, HNTB Corporation, Jacobs Engineering Group, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Port Everglades Association, SFRTA/Tri-Rail, Stiles, TYLin International, Urban Street Development and Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman PL.
Tickets for the Broward MPO’s State of the Region & Annual Awards are $95 per person and available atwww.browardmpo.org/state-of-the-region-annual-awards.
For additional information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Carol Henderson, Broward MPO, at (786) 985-6049 or at hendersonc@browardmpo.org.
About Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization
Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization is a federally mandated agency responsible for making policy on local transportation issues and deciding how to spend federal money on relevant projects in Broward County. Governed by a local board comprised of 25 voting members, Broward MPO is responsible for transportation planning and funding allocation in urbanized Broward County. The Broward MPO works with the public, planning organizations, government agencies, elected officials and community groups to develop transportation plans that address overall mobility within the county. Their mission is to develop better roadways, seamless public transportation, more bike lanes and walking paths and improved infrastructure. For more information, please visit https://www.browardmpo.org.
