In our weekly list of business people on the move, we highlight Palm Beach County professionals who are making a difference. These are people from across the spectrum of public and private endeavors, those working in charities, court houses, private practices and beyond. They are moving up within their industry, advancing their careers and standing out for their services within our community.
Here are this week's professional standouts:
IWC oversight district appoints first woman executive director
The Florida Inland Navigation District has appointed Janet Zimmerman as its new executive director. She is the first woman to hold this position in the organization’s 97-year history after a unanimous vote by the district's board of commissioners. Her tenure commenced March 1. The navigation district is a special state taxing district responsible for managing and maintaining the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
Gardens legal practice adds attorney to key group
Palm Beach Gardens-based Nason Yeager Gerson Harris & Fumero, P.A., has expanded its environmental and land use practice group by adding attorneys Alicia Lewis and Gray J. Crow. Lewis focuses her practice on land use, zoning, government procurement, public private partnerships, affordable housing, environmental law, entitlement due diligence, community outreach, and municipal government law. Crow practices land use, code enforcement, due diligence, litigation, environmental, and real estate matters.
Families First names philanthropy director
Families First of Palm Beach County has hired Cheryl Patterson as their new philanthropy director. Patterson has 12 years of experience fundraising through marketing with a proven track record. She is passionate and intentional about leveling playing fields and increasing access for underserved children and their families. Families First's mission is "Empowering families of all histories and challenges to grow strong in every way."
Accomplished litigator joins Boca law firm
Boca Raton-based Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman & Hermann has added seasoned litigator Bradley Pepper to the firm as a partner. Pepper focuses on complex commercial litigation matters, general and premise liability, first party property damage disputes, and catastrophic personal injury cases.
Women in Leadership Award recipients named
The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation, Inc. (EWPBF) recently announced, in celebration of International Women’s Day, the four honorees for the prestigious Women in Leadership Awards. The honorees were selected from a pool of 34 impressive nominees. The following women will be honored, alongside Lois Pope, the first recipient of EWPBF’s Lifetime Achievement Award: Public Sector Award Honoree— Ava Parker (president, Palm Beach State College, Private Sector Award Honoree-Tricia Taylor (president, The Breakers Palm Beach), Nonprofit Sector Award Honoree-Diana Stanley (CEO, The Lord’s Place), and Emerging Leader Award Honoree-Christine Sylvain (Founder and Executive Director, Path To College).