On October 30th, the Emerging Leadership Council held their monthly “Lunch With an Expert” at Café Avanti. Over 60 business professionals gathered to listen to our new Chairman of the Board, Alan A. Lips, making it one of the most successful lunches of the series. The intimate event was moderated by Past Chair of the Chamber and owner of Miami Fashion Week Aaron Perry. Aaron began Alan’s introduction by stating that “without Alan’s leadership on the Board, this Chamber would not be where it is today.” Together, they make for a truly dynamic duo in and out of the boardroom, so much so that they easily provided listeners with a sense of intimacy and comfort.
Alan Lips was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Miami Beach was always his favorite place to visit, and ironically he fell in love with a girl during college that was from here. They moved here post-graduation, got married, and now have three beautiful children. He still considers Miami Beach the best place in the world.
Alan adds passion and a personal approach to everything that he does. As a partner at Gerson, Preston and Robinson, one of the most successful accounting firms in South Florida, Alan’s area of focus is International Tax.“One way or another, everyone is touched by people coming from South America,” says Lips, adding “they just don’t get the right advice.” Alan distinguishes himself from others by becoming that reliable source who meets with clients since day one, and builds an effective structure that works personally for their family and business.
One of Alan’s primary focuses is giving back to the community. In addition to his leadership in the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, he co-chaired and established the Young Founders of Mount Sinai Hospital with an interest and goal in providing care to people who cannot afford it. Nevertheless, he made it another success.
Our Chairman’s advice to new members: “Join a committee and treat the Chamber as the intimate setting that it is. The Chamber provides the outlet for people to build relationships. Get to know others and ask for advice.”
His recommendation to us all? “Always do the right thing, do what’s in the best interest of the organization that you care about, whether it is your business or not, and make sure to enjoy it while you’re doing it!”
In keeping with the Miami Beach Chamber’s mission to provide beneficial programs and events to the local business community, its Emerging Leadership Council regularly hosts this monthly luncheon series to give attendees an intimate perspective inside the life of a notable business “expert.” The invaluable experience is limited to 60 guests inside Café Avanti’s warm dining space, and features different topics each time, based upon the speaker’s particular industry. For more information on December’s upcoming Lunch with an Expert and what’s in store for 2013, visit the Events Calendar on www.miamibeachchamber.com or call (305) 674-1300.
Jessica Fuentes regularly hosts the Miami Beach Chamber’s “Lunch with an Expert” monthly series at her Italian restaurant Café Avanti. An active member within the Miami Beach business community, she currently presides on both the Emerging Leadership Council and Pillar Board of Trustees at the Chamber.
