This Year’s Award Recipients are Russell Galbut, Ken Hendel, Stephanie Ruiz and Alan Randolph
On Friday, January 24, 2014, the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce will host the Champions of Business Awards Luncheon, sponsored by BankUnited, and continue its long standing tradition of recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding business professionals who help to strengthen the foundation of the Miami Beach community at large. This year, the Chamber is awarding the Innovation in Business Award to Russell Galbut of Crescent Heights; Small Business of the Year Award to Ken Hendel of Gallery Art; the Outstanding Board of Governor Award to Stephanie Ruiz of Media Department II; and the Past Chair Award to Alan Randolph of C1 Bank.
“The Chamber is privileged to have strong members contribute to the organization and the community every year,” said Chairman of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Michael S. Goldberg. “This event honors our tradition and legacy.”
INNOVATION IN BUSINESS AWARD
Managing Principal for Crescent Heights and speaker at the luncheon is Russell Galbut, who will be given the Aaron B. Perry Innovation in Business Award.
Having been active in the urban mixed-use real estate sector for over 30 years, Galbut and Crescent Heights is a “best in class” developer with a successful track record in new construction and renovations. The company has been active in over 15 major metropolitan markets from coast to coast and has developed over 50,000 residential units and/or hotel rooms pioneering the condo hotel concept including the largest condo hotel in the world, the Ala Moana.
Galbut has shown innovation by being the first to bring a “robotic garage” to Miami Beach. Featured in Architectural Digest, the robotic garage is a high-speed automated parking structure with the ability to park a number of cars in half the space of a conventional parking garage. The goal of the futuristic structure is for architects and developers to use less space for parking and create space for design, development and community enhancements.
Galbut serves on numerous boards of public, charity and private companies. He is one of the founding directors of Prestige Cruises, owners of the brands Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises, as well as Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust. Galbut is also on the Board of Trustees of several national organizations.
This award recognizes the achievements and positive contributions of noticeable altruistic business professionals. Additionally, the award shines light on a successful business person who has been triumphant in helping an industry progress with their innovative ideas and business tactic while maintaining to participate in philanthropic activities throughout the community.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Chamber’s Small Business of the Year Award goes to owner and curator of Gallery Art, Ken Hendel. In business for over 20 years, Gallery Art, buys and sells all type of art, including original oils, mixed media, limited edition graphics, bronzes, and glass sculptures. The gallery has housed noted artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Tom Wesselmann, Robert Indiana, Peter Max, Salvador Dali and Leroy Neiman. Additionally, Hendel has grown his business by innovatively installing webcams in the gallery, which showcases its current pieces online realtime. Additionally, Hendel is an active member of the Executive Board of Governors of the Chamber. This award is given to individuals who have dedicated their time to the community while growing their companies to reach outstanding achievements in management and innovation over the past couple of years.
OUTSTANDING BOARD OF GOVERNOR AWARD
Media Executive Stephanie Ruiz will receive the annual James McDonnell Outstanding Board of G o v e r n o r Award for her years of dedication to the progress and expansion of the Chamber. Owner of M e d i a Department II, Ruiz specializes in media planning, buying and promotions in all areas of media. She has served as the Vice Chair on the executive board of the Chamber, as Chair of the INcard Committee and as the Co-chair for the Gala.
In 2012, as Chair of the INcard Committee, Ruiz was instrumental in the launch of the INcard mobile app, which is available for iPhone and Android. The app includes a downloadable INcard, an INmap, where users can see which vendors are in their area, a full listing of participating businesses and a loyalty program that allows users to receive additional rewards.
Annually, the Board of Governors elects the James McDonnell Outstanding Board of Governor Award winner by voting for a Board member who has demonstrated remarkable dedication, who has served on the board for over five consecutive years, taken a leadership role, and provided service above and beyond the expected performance of a board member.
PAST CHAIR AWARD
This year’s Past ChairAward recipient is Alan Randolph, the Senior Vice President and Miami- Dade market manager for C1 Bank. A Miami banker with over 22 years of experience, Randolph leads a team of bankers focused on commercial real estate, business, residential and SBA lending. He was recently appointed as the Chair of the Chamber’s Arts and Culture Council and has been crucial in elevating the importance and success of arts and culture within the Miami Beach community.
With a strong interest in contemporary art, Randolph became a minority partner, with Jeff Lawson, in conceptualizing and creating the critically acclaimed art fair UNTITLED, which recently was presented during Art Basel. UNTITLED introduced art lovers to a new international fair that would offer collectors an alternative viewing experience right on the sands of Miami Beach.
The Past Chair Award honors a past chairman who has assisted the Chamber in achieving the goals and mission of the organization.
This year’s Champions of Business Award Luncheon will be held at 12:00 pm at the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, located at 1 Lincoln Road and the event is open to the public. Tickets are available starting at $60 for pillar members, $65 for general members and $70 for guests, with sponsorship opportunities available starting at $650. An additional presenting sponsor includes 84 West Studios.
