The 12th Annual Apogee Awards - S. Florida Business & Wealth

The 12th Annual Apogee Awards

South Florida Business & Wealth Honors 50+ C-Suite Leaders at the 2025 Apogee Awards

South Florida Business & Wealth (SFBW) honored 50 of the region’s most influential C-suite executives and hosted over 250 additional guests on November 19 for the first ever Apogee luncheon. This was the 12th annual Apogee Awards celebration and was hosted at The Venue in Wilton Manors. The ceremony recognized leaders across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties whose innovation, resilience, and community impact continue to shape one of the country’s fastest-growing business regions.

This year, the program received 331 nominations, reflecting an exceptional depth of executive leadership across the tri-county area. An independent selection committee evaluated each submission and identified this year’s outstanding honorees whose achievements set new standards in their industries and communities.

Presented by Nicklaus Children’s Health System, with TD Bank serving as the Gold Sponsor, the Apogee Awards celebrated executives across dozens of sectors including law, healthcare, aviation, real estate, construction, finance, nonprofit leadership, and hospitality. Additional support came from Fifth Third Bank, PeoPayGo, OCMI Workers Comp, Print Basics, and Transworld Business Advisors, helping create an inspiring afternoon of recognition and connection.



2025 SFBW Apogee Awards Honorees

Lifetime Achievement

  • George LeMieux, Gunster (Law & Politics)
  • Dennis Smith, Tripp Scott (Lifetime Achievement)

Corporate Champion – Executive Excellence in Accounting

  • Mike Balter, CBIZ

Excellence in Leadership – Aviation

  • Mayor Geoffrey Jacobs, Pembroke Park & Argentum Airways

Excellence in Leadership – CEO Entrepreneur, Aviation

  • Anthony Marinello, Tropic Air Rescue

Executive Excellence – Banking & Financial Advice

  • María Peuriot, Pibank USA

CEO Finance & Banking

  • Keith Costello, Locality Bank

Executive Excellence – Business Advisory

  • Tom Milana, Transworld

CEO Women-Owned Business

  • Danielle Gaudreau, The Pretty Nomad

Excellence in Leadership – Construction & Development

  • Adrian Barrios, DPR Construction

Corporate Champion – Construction & Development

  • Cody Kiess, CORE Construction

Corporate Champion

  • Matthew Tinsley, 5 Stones Intelligence

CEO Charitable Commitment – Social Enterprise / CEO Entrepreneur, Hospitality

  • Tracy Thompson, Thompson Hospitality

CEO Charitable Commitment – Social Enterprise

  • Erica Herman, Voices for Children of Broward County

CEO Women-Owned Business

  • Shira Kastan Goldstein, ADG Strategy Group

CEO Charitable Commitment – Social Enterprise

  • Greg Schiller, Child Rescue Coalition

Executive Excellence – Business

  • Eddie Schwartz, Aryeh Strategic Partners

CEO Women-Owned Business

  • Marcie Gregorio, Worldwide Title Company

Executive Excellence – Innovator in Wealth Management

  • Steven Hudson, Hudson Capital Group

Healthcare Innovator of the Year

  • Farah Garmany, M.D., Nicklaus Children’s Health Institute

Healthcare Innovator

  • Vassilia Binensztok, Juno Counseling and Wellness

CEO Women-Owned Business

  • Jasmine Johnson, GŪD Essence

Executive Excellence – Healthcare

  • Kal Gajraj, CAN Community Health

Healthcare Innovator

  • Reynette Romain, Reveye Mental Health and Wellness

COO Healthcare

  • Derek Riley, Zoo Health Club Corporate

Rising CEO – Women-Owned Business

  • Sherline Lexime, The HR Formula Group

Executive Excellence – Insurance

  • Stephen Roche, USI Insurance Services

CEO Small Company (10–25 employees)

  • Carmen Cossette Ravelo, Cossette Productions Inc.

Executive Excellence – Law

  • Charles Caulkins, Fisher Phillips

Excellence in Law

  • Gerald Greenspoon, Greenspoon Marder
  • Jamie Cole, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman

Executive Excellence – Law

  • Max Adams, The MediLaw Firm

CEO Entrepreneur

  • Ryan Malkin, Malkin Law

CEO Luxury Hospitality

  • Walter Banks, Lago Mar Resort Hotel & Club

Executive Excellence – Sports Marketing

  • Kenneth Kennerly, James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame / PGA Tour Champions / Pro Links Sports

CEO Marine Industry

  • Andrew Doole, Informa Markets (U.S. Boat Shows)

Excellence in Non-Profit

  • Ana Sasmiresan, HabCenter Boca Raton
  • Megan Speck, Museum of Discovery & Science

Excellence in Leadership

  • Zack Simkins, Vaster

Corporate Champion

  • Miki Naftali, Naftali Group

CEO Entrepreneur / Corporate Champion

  • Mark Rothenberg, Ellemar Enterprises

CEO Real Estate

  • Manny Angelo Varas, MV Group USA

CEO Retail

  • Andrew Koenig, City Furniture

Executive Excellence – Tax & Finance

  • Adam Korenfield, CohnReznick

Champion of Women Empowerment

  • Angélica Fuentes, NOWFUL

Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

  • Nicklaus Children’s Health System

Gold Sponsor

  • TD Bank

Silver Sponsors

  • Fifth Third Bank
  • PeoPayGo / OCMI Workers Comp
  • Transworld Business Advisors
  • Print Basics

Sapphire Sponsors

  • Hudson Capital Group
  • CAN Community Health
  • Tripp Scott
  • USI
  • City Furniture
  • Greenspoon Marder
  • Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club
  • CORE Construction

Emerald Sponsors

  • Gunster
  • Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman
  • DPR Construction
  • NOWFUL

Ruby Sponsors

  • Town of Pembroke Park
  • Fisher Phillips

Media & Community Partners

  • Balloons Galore and More
  • Sundial
  • The Media Lab
  • Jon Saxx

You May Also Like
A drawing shows a balanced scale: one side holds a red heart and a gold ring, the other side holds a building. The scale stands on a document labeled "PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT. South Florida Business & Wealth
The Entrepreneur’s Edge
February 15, 2026
The Business of Care
February 15, 2026
A man in a black polo shirt and cap stands smiling on a pickleball court with multiple pickleballs in motion around him. The magazine cover headline reads, "BRAD TUCKMAN: From Pixels to Pickleball. South Florida Business & Wealth
From Pixels to Pickleball
February 8, 2026
A person wearing a pink hard hat and shirt uses a hammer while working on a wooden structure outdoors, with others in similar attire working in the background. South Florida Business & Wealth
Unlocking Dreams
February 4, 2026
Broward Business Momentum

Growth, Connections, and Community Leadership

Read More
A collage of downtown Fort Lauderdale features skyscrapers, a convention center, port with shipping containers, an airplane overhead, two workers in hard hats, a handshake at a business event, and a Las Olas Blvd street sign. South Florida Business & Wealth
Docked by the Rules

Outdated Dock Codes in a Modern Boating Capital

Read More
A luxurious waterfront home with palm trees, a large dock, and two white boats moored on a calm canal under a clear blue sky at sunset. South Florida Business & Wealth
Boca’s Next Luxury Chapter

A long-anticipated branded residential debut brings Mr. C’s hospitality-first ethos to Downtown Boca Raton.

Read More
A serene outdoor pool with lounge chairs and towels, surrounded by lush greenery, in front of a modern building with balconies and large glass doors leading to a well-lit interior. South Florida Business & Wealth
Broward Business Pulse

Five Signals Shaping the Week

Read More
Downtown cityscape of Broward at sunset with high-rise buildings, palm trees, and blurred car lights. Text overlay reads: "Broward Business Pulse: Five Signals Shaping the Week. South Florida Business & Wealth
Other Posts
MODS Names New Board Trustees

Museum of Discovery and Science
Taps Healthcare and Tech Leadership for Board Chair and Trustee Roles

Read More
A white modern building with palm trees in front, labeled "Museum of Discovery and Science," featuring a distinctive arched roof and banners, under a blue sky with scattered clouds. South Florida Business & Wealth
A Study in Statesmanship

PBA’s 2026 LeMieux Speaker Series Opens with Pompeo and Kerry

Read More
Two older men in suits and ties are shown in separate circular frames with gold borders. The man on the left has light hair and a serious expression; the man on the right has gray hair and a slight smile. South Florida Business & Wealth
Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Senior Living

Melissa Honig becomes the first woman CEO in John Knox Village’s history, signaling a thoughtful evolution in Florida senior living.

Read More
A woman with long, straight blonde hair smiles broadly at the camera. She is wearing a sleeveless pink and white top and is posed in front of a plain, light-colored background. South Florida Business & Wealth