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As our Fall season starts and I complete my term as Chair of the Chamber Board in October and welcome our incoming Chair Aaron Tandy, I wanted to thank each and every one of you that have been with me through this amazing three year journey. When I assumed the role as chair of the board, at the Cadillac Hotel in October of 2019, little did I know that our world was going to the change in a few short months. However, collectively, as an organization we rolled with the punches and I discovered that the Miami Beach business community is resilient and strong. Although we did see businesses unfortunately fold or struggle during this pandemic, we are seeing more and more of them open each day or bouncing back. Throughout this current ordeal, Miami Beach has proven to be a place people want to live and vacation in – just ask our friends from the northeast and west coast that have and continue to purchase real estate in our beautiful city each day!
All in all, it was an honor to serve as the 4th woman of the board and I couldn’t have done it without the leadership and wisdom of my board members, vice chairs, chamber staff, council chairs and community leaders. I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge a few of you by name that were my rock and support system. I’d like to start with my Co-Chairman of the Board, from 2018 – 2019, Wayne Pathman and all the amazing Chairs that came before me like Michael S. Goldberg, Jason Loeb, Tony Noboa and Joy Malakoff, to name a few. Additionally, I’d like to recognize my Vice Chairs of the Board, which I leaned on for advice starting with our Chair Elect, Aaron Tandy, Richard Segal, Madeleine Romanello, Alfredo Gonzalez and Dan Odess. I’d like to give a very special shout out to our treasure Steve Krenick, who has worked overtime for the Chamber during these trying times and has been an amazing financial guide! I couldn’t have asked for a better Chair of the Pillar Board then Seth Feuer and Vice Chair Leila Chang and Chair’s of our Education Foundation Bruce K. Gould and Alfredo Gonzalez. Finally, I’d like to thank all of our council chairs and vice chairs that have done an amazing job in programming events and meetings.
Additionally, I’d like to recognize our City of Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, his aide Adrian Chamberlain and his chief of staff Michele Burger who have been strong allies of the Chamber. I don’t know of any other Chamber in the country that has so much access to their elected officials and has a weekly chat with them. Our Chamber Chats with Mayor Dan Gelber have been a hit and reached over 50,000 impressions on Facebook. The next Chat is September 14, please mark your calendars.
Finally, I’d like to thank the Chamber staff for their hard work during this pandemic. It wasn’t easy to be able to adapt so quickly and continue to serve our membership. However, they were able to do so much and continue to serve our membership. Under the incre rain leadership of President and CEO Jerry Libbin, the staff, which includes Enid Rodriguez, Danny Diaz, Leslie Reams, Charlotte Rigaud, Alicia Pardey, SuBrena GrahamFoster, Jim Acera and James Cavalaris are rock stars!
It has been an honor to serve as Board Chair and I look forward to seeing you at events and meetings and hopefully at our Gala and I’m only a phone call away! If you would like to get ahold of me or have any questions, please email info@miamibeachchamber.com
Stay engaged with us at The Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Sincerely,
Robin Jacobs
