The Hollywood Chamber pays tribute to local business leaders

Last Friday, the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce held its Business Leaders Awards and its Board Installation Luncheon at the Diplomat Beach Resort.

Business leaders, some with many years of success and accomplishment, and others who start their careers solidly, have been honored. Broward's commissioner, Beam Furr, was the keynote speaker.

I'm excited about Hollywood and I think the city is very
well, said Furr. He said Hollywood voters made a good decision by approving
the general bond. He believes that the bond will pay for many needs
citywide improvements.

The 2020 winners included a star list of people who have succeeded in business and professions.

Michael Cassel, a lawyer received the Rising Star, Young Leader award. He is the managing partner and co-founder of Cassel & Cassel and a former student of Leadership Hollywood 43. He focuses on representing residential and commercial policyholders in property damage claims against their insurance companies .

Hollywood police chief Chris OBrien won the Community Service Award. He began his career at the Hollywood Police Service in 1998 and quickly rose through the ranks to become a major. In 2014, OBrien assumed dueling responsibilities as the acting deputy chief of the Office of Operations, and in 2015 was promoted to deputy chief of police. As head, his main goals for the department are to improve public safety, including Hollywood schools, by mobilizing limited funds to better equip and train the department and employee morale.

Michael Feinstein, the founder and CEO of Buro won the Community Impact Award. He is considered a pioneer in the shared office industry. Feinstein offers small businesses and the self-employed a more elegant and flexible working environment. He set out to rethink what a shared office space should look, feel and work for. The Buro community includes more than 50 growing businesses.

Luis Roqueres, The JQ group of companies received the business partner award. He has over 21 years of construction experience with an extensive portfolio covering the United States and Venezuela. He managed and executed the completion of more than 35 million square feet valued at approximately $ 1.5 billion.

Jennifer love, the owner and publisher of the Hollywood Gazette and the creative director of Q Creative Concepts won the Community Partner Award. She started working for the Hollywood Gazette as general manager in 2006 and bought the publication in 2010. She has produced the Hollywood Scavenger Hunt every year since 2015.

Barbara Goldberg, the founder and CEO of OConnell & Goldberg won the Businesswoman of the Year award. His PR firm is highly regarded in Florida and has been in business for 26 years. She has led decades of memorable public relations campaigns and effective strategies for a range of large companies to keep them relevant in people's minds. She uses social media innovations, effective storytelling and the ability to build strategic partnerships. The agency is known for influencing, engaging and motivating key audiences to act.

Dr. Brijesh Mehta, a neuro-interventional surgeon from the Memorial Neuroscience Institute and director of the Comprehensive Stroke Centers for the Memorial Healthcare System, won the Visionary Award. His passion and research interests are developing high-efficiency processes and workflows for acute stroke.

Theo Xidis the owner of Medworks Painting & Finishing won the Small Business of the Year award. He has contracts with most of the major hospital systems in South Florida. He performs medical cabinet work, painting and maintenance.

Barry Faske, Faske Enterprises won the Leadership Hollywood Award. He played an active role in seeking to create a better environment for future generations in Florida. He has been an active member of the Florida Green Building Coalition for ten years.

Helen Vella-Basilone, Vella Coaching won the Ambassador of the Year award. She has been involved in philanthropy for most of her life after serving on the boards of several non-profit organizations.