Top Palm Beach County professionals, business people on the move for the week of Feb. 16
Here are this week's professional standouts:
Florida law firm Lewis, Longman & Walker recently announced the promotion of Kimberly Ayers Kuffner to the position of chief operating officer. This well-deserved promotion acknowledges her critical contributions to the firm. Kuffner joined LLW in 2005 and has been an integral part of the leadership team ever since. As COO, Kuffner will continue to work closely with the executive team to enhance operational strategies and foster a culture of excellence.
Mike Heitman has joined Sachs Sax Caplan attorneys at law as senior counsel of construction law. He has two decades of legal experience representing construction companies, sureties, and insurance carriers in construction litigation, arbitration, and mediation. Heitman, who has 10 years of hands-on construction experience as an engineer, estimator, project manager, and designer, became a construction attorney to better serve the interests of his fellow construction professionals. Heitman is working out of Sachs Sax Caplan's Palm Beach Gardens and Boca Raton offices.
Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman & Hermann has announced that Joshua B. Alper and Joseph M. Landolfi, Jr. have become shareholders at the firm. Both bring significant legal experience and leadership to their respective practice areas.Alper focuses on complex commercial litigation and has represented clients in both state and federal courts. Landolfi, Jr. heads the firm's estate planning practice, where he focuses on estate and wealth preservation, asset protection, elder law, and special needs planning. Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman & Hermann, P.A. is a full-service litigation and transactional law firm and one of the largest independent law firms in South Florida.
Promise Fund, a South Florida-based non-profit co-founded by ambassador Nancy G. Brinker and Susan G. Komen for the cure breast cancer group, announced that Audrey Brown has been named chief executive officer of the organization. With over 20 years of experience in the health care and insurance industry, coupled with her advocacy experience, Brown is a dedicated and proven leader. Before joining the Promise Fund, she served as president and CEO of the Florida Association of Health Plans, Inc. Founded in 2018, Promise Fund reaches tens of thousands of women in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin Counties who are uninsured, underinsured or have limited or no access to healthcare.
Good Samaritan Medical Center has named Austin Champoux, MHA, MIB, to the position of chief operating officer. During his time at Good Samaritan Medical Center, Champoux led the construction oversight of the freestanding emergency department, Victor Farris surgery center and the sterile processing department. Good Samaritan Medical Center is a 333-bed acute care hospital, part of the Palm Beach Health Network, that's provided sophisticated, personalized and emergency medical care to Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast with over 100 years of experience.
Oxbridge Academy has announced Jay Boodheshwar has joined leadership team as the director of major gifts, effective Jan. 27. Boodheshwar served the Town of Palm Beach for over 16 years, including as deputy town manager, before leading the city of Naples, Fl. as the city manager and executive director of the community redevelopment agency. Oxbridge Academy is the premier independent, co-educational college-preparatory school for grades 6-12 in West Palm Beach.
The Boynton Beach Online Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointments of two executive positions. Christine D. Roberts-Kelly, founder and CEO of Intention Enterprises, has been appointed executive vice president of the BBOC. Patti Ann Leonaggeo, a licensed insurance agent representing Aflac and owner of Leonaggeo Benefits, Inc., has been appointed chairman of the ambassadors of the BBOC. The chair of ambassadors has many duties and responsibilities, including promoting the chamber, building relationships, hosting events, introducing new members, assisting with member retention, and being a liaison.
Two local philanthropists, Penny G. Murphy and Amanda Schumacher, will share the spotlight at the 33rd Annual Women of Distinction Luncheon on Monday, Feb. 18 at The Breakers, Palm Beach. The annual luncheon hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic University honors women who cherish community and family and work to preserve these ideals for others. Proceeds from this PBA tradition of more than 30 years benefit a scholarship fund for deserving female students. Murphy is a third-generation native of West Palm Beach,and has deep roots in the SoSo neighborhood, where she grew up embracing the values of hard work and dedication. Schumacher is an entrepreneur and philanthropist, founding Tree of Life Foundation International, Inc. in 2006, where she serves as its president. The foundation, which operates 22 branches, consolidates resources to support global communities through initiatives like Tree of Life Resource Centers and Tree of Life Enterprise Services, which provides employment services funneling all profits back into the foundation. "Women of Distinction salutes the legacy of incredible women and future leaders who dedicate their energy and resources to others," said Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, PBA President.
Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys, PLLC, a law firm founded in 1980 in Buffalo, NY., has opened an office in Boynton Beach to serve Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income claimants. Over the past four-plus decades, the firm has successfully assisted more than 22,000 clients in obtaining SSD and SSI benefits. Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys PLLC, has offices in Buffalo and Rochester in addition to the new offices located at 625 Casa Loma Blvd. Suite 1202, Boynton Beach.
If you are looking for more insight into the movers and shakers operating in the Palm Beaches, subscribe to our real estate newsletter, The Dirt, keep an eye out for stories and perspective from veteran reporters Kimberly Miller and Alexandra Clough. If you have an announcement for Business People on the Move, please send it to Pbbusiness@pbpost.com.
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best businesses, professionals, business people in Palm Beach County
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