Luminaries from the worlds of financial services, hospitality, health care, technology and many others gathered at the MAD Arts gallery in Dania Beach, the host sponsor, to celebrate a year of leadership and accomplishment. Through times of both challenge and opportunity, the honorees have modeled grace under pressure, innovation, resourcefulness and stellar client service. Other key sponsors included perennial presenting sponsor, C3 Complete.

“The region has its share of business awards programs, but SFBW’s continues to be unrivaled. And inclusive,” said Lifestyle Media Group chairman Gary Press, who shared hosting duties with managing director Kim Sarni. “Rather than offering an awards program for each position—such as a CEO awards one month and a CFO awards another month—we bring in the entire C-suite for our awards event.”

Press added, “As Apogee marks its sixth year and SFBW continues to grow in influence and prominence, the excitement surrounding our annual event is only increasing, especially this year as we joyfully return to celebrate in person.” During the event, Press emphasized what it means for leaders in vastly different sectors to mingle, network and exchange ideas in person: “Beyond recognizing the region’s top C-suite execs, we think there is a huge benefit for these savvy, ambitious achievers to convene to share experiences, challenges and lessons learned. South Florida has a broad geographic sweep, so it is rare to have this group all in one place at one time. We’ve been gratified to receive feedback about how many new business relationships and friendships have been forged through Apogee and our other events, including our ‘CEO Connect’ series.”

Tibor Hollo, the legendary real estate figure who is the CEO and president of Florida East Coast Realty, won the lifetime achievement award.

“I am greatly honored to receive this incredible recognition and grateful to South Florida Business & Wealth for presenting me with this prestigious award,” he said. “When I reflect upon my 60-plus-year career at Florida East Coast Realty, constructing more than 60 million square feet of residential and commercial real estate, I am very proud to have witnessed and been a part of many remarkable and indelible transformations in our extraordinary community. From spurring the original live-work-play concept in Miami’s urban core to now completing Florida’s tallest structure (the 85-story, 821-unit Panorama Tower in the heart of Brickell), our company and our family have always been dedicated to pushing boundaries; building better, bigger and higher with each new project; and continually reshaping the skyline.”

Photo by Eduardo Schneider